KALBELIA

Kalbelias are followers of Sage Kanifnath, who drank a bowl of poison and was blessed with control over venomous snakes and animals.

Kalbelias are divided in two main groups, the Daliwal and Mewara. The Kalbelias moved frequently from one place to another in ancient times. Their traditional occupation is catching snakes and trading snake venom. They rear snakes, dogs, hens, horses, donkeys, pigs, and goats. Hence, the dance movements and the costumes of their community bear a resemblance to those of the serpents. They are also called Sapera and Jogira, Gattiwala, and Poogiwara. The largest cluster of the Kalbelias is in the Pali district, followed by significant other groups in Ajmer, Chittorgarh, and Udaipur districts. They live a nomadic life and belong to the scheduled tribes.