ABSTRACT
In the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of the Himalayas nestles the valley of Bharmour, homeland of Gaddi pastoralists, who traditionally herd sheep and goats and migrate seasonally with their herds to upper and lower ranges of this rugged terrain. Anthropologically and administratively classified as tribe, the Gaddis have never been an insular group. Their worldview, socio-cultural and religious practices have much in common with the larger Hindu community. Yet they are distinct in the way perceive the universe and their own position in the cosmic order of things. The land the Gaddis inhabit is lovingly called Gadderan, the royal seat of their supreme deity, Lord Shiva, who, like the Gaddis, is a nomad and a sheep herder. Both political and socio-economic structures have undergone change. A sizable middle class has emerged, and youth often migrate to big cities in search of jobs. Sheep herding, though still a major cash economy, now competes with horticulture as a viable alternative. Old practices have given way to middle-class family structures. This, rather than liberating the Gaddi woman, has put shackles to her ability to negotiate her empowerment. The language, myth and rituals still retain the cultural memory of earlier practices and even today the community falls back upon them when a need arises. These practices may not be commonplace today, but they are not totally forgotten or abandoned.
