The Thari also known as the Dhatti (ٿري, ڍاٽي) are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group who reside in the Thar Desert, which is divided between Pakistan and India. They speak Thari, also known as Dhatki language. Thari is also a geographical term, it refers to anything which belong or come from Thar desert. The Thari people live primarily in Tharparkar district of Sindh in Pakistan.[2][5] In India, Thari speakers are found in western parts of Rajasthan.[2][3]

Thari
Dhatki
ٿري
Map of Mirpur Khas Division (locally known as Thar Region) where Thari people live
Regions with significant populations
 Pakistan (Tharparkar and Umerkot)2.6 million[1]
 India (Rajasthan[2][3])Unknown
Languages
Dhatki/Thari
Religion
Islam and Hinduism[4]
Related ethnic groups
Kutchi, Rajasthani, Jadgal, Sindhi

Lifestyle and Culture

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A Thari Women

The Thar live in the harsh environment of the Thar Desert, therefore they spend a considerable amount of time fetching water for themselves or their animals.[6] The Thari marry early, often during teenage years.[7] They wake up early and herd the animals with the females waking up earlier than the men.[8] The Thari are known for their carpet industry, and earlier in history they used to make shawls.[9] The Thari also celebrate Lok Mela, along with the Sindhis.[10]

The Thari have suffered throughout history due to the environment they live in, but as the world progresses into a new era, the Tharis have been suffering even more with no cars or phones.[11] The music of the Thari is regarded as Rajsthani music with a "little spice" to it.[12] The ethnobotany of plants used by the Thari people has been considered affective by scientists.[13]

The Thari, whether Muslim or Hindu, have always been peaceful to each other.[14] Some Thari women work coal mining jobs across Sindh.[15]

Clothing

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The clothing of the Thar is a mix of Rajasthani and Sindhi clothing, as well as a small influence of Gujarati. The Thari women wear Ghagra cholis, a type of Punjabi and Gujarati clothing with the Thari men wearing a turban and sometimes wearing a Shalwar Qameez. During funerals, Thari women wear bangles and Thari men wear black dresses.[5]

Language

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The Thari people speak the Dhatki language, an Indo-Aryan language. The Thari also speak Sindhi and Urdu.[16]

Notable People

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Notable Thari people include:

  1. Mai Bhaghi, A Thari women who sang in Sindhi and Urdu[17]
  2. Fozia Soomro, A Thari Singer[18]
  3. Sohail Sangi, A Thari journalist and activist working at Dawn[19]
  4. Ram Singh Sodho, A member of Pakistan Muslim League (Q)[20]
  5. Mahesh Kumar Malani, A member of the National Assembly of Pakistan[21]
  6. Muhammad Usman Diplai, A Thari poet who wrote in Sindhi[22]
  7. Jam Saqi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Pakistan[23]
  8. Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Chief Minister of Sindh[24]
  9. Lal Kumar, a Thari cricketer who played for the Hyderabad Cricket Team[25]
  10. Chettan Mal Arwani, A member of Pakistan Muslim League (Q)[26]
  11. Bherulal Balani, A member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh[27]
  12. Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi, A Thari Shia cleric who is the president of Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Fiqah-e-Jafaria[28]
  13. Vasand Thari, A Thari singer, poet, and journalist[29]
  14. Mai Dhai, A Thari singer[30]
  15. Gian Chand, A member of the Senate of Pakistan[31]
  16. Ghulam Mohammad Lot, A member of Pakistan People's Party[32]
  17. Abdul Qadir Junejo, A playwright and columnist who wrote in Sindhi and Urdu[33]
  18. Sharjeel Memon, A former member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh[34]
  19. Khatu Mal Jeewan, A member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Senate of Pakistan[35]
  20. Krishna Kohli, A member of the Senate of Pakistan[36]
  21. Rana Parshad Sodha, 18th King of Umerkot
  22. Rana Ratan Singh, Thari activist during British rule[37]
  23. Rana Chandra Singh, One of the Founding members of the Pakistan People's Party[38]
  24. Rana Hamir Singh, Current Rana of Umerkot and member of Provincial Assembly of Sindh[39]

References

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  1. ^ "Basic Survival issue of Thari People".
  2. ^ a b c Gambier, Yves; Stecconi, Ubaldo (15 February 2019). A World Atlas of Translation. John Benjamins Publishing Company. p. 137. ISBN 978-90-272-6296-7.
  3. ^ a b Frawley, William J. (1 May 2003). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. Oxford University Press. p. 291. ISBN 978-0-19-977178-3.
  4. ^ "Thar: where Muslims and Hindus live in complete religious harmony | Footloose | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  5. ^ a b "Thar Desert Information".
  6. ^ Mohammad Aslam Uqaili, Mohammad Aslam; Khanji, Harijan (2011). Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. p. 145. ISBN 9783709101094.
  7. ^ "Tharparkar: Pakistan's ongoing catastrophe".
  8. ^ Nasim, S (2007). "Thar". Developing teachers' skills in Thar desert area, Sindh, Pakistan.
  9. ^ "Culture: Shawl Weavers of Thar". 4 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Lok Mela: Day two showcases colours of Sindh". 12 April 2014.
  11. ^ Parwani, Lalchand. "Life Style of Thar Problems and opportunities in 21st century". University of Sindh, Jamshoro.
  12. ^ "Tharparkar: The history and culture amid catastrophe". 8 August 2022.
  13. ^ Qureshi, Rahmatullah; Bhatti, G. Raza (2008). "Ethnobotany of plants used by the Thari people of Nara Desert, Pakistan". Fitoterapia. 79 (6): 468–473. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2008.03.010. PMID 18538950.
  14. ^ "A friendly desert". 24 June 2022.
  15. ^ "How coal changed the life of Thari women".
  16. ^ Laghari, Inayat Hussain (2005). Dhataki (Thari) language is sub dialect of Sindhi language سندهی زبان کا ایک لہجہ ڈاٹکی (تهری (in Urdu).
  17. ^ Paracha, Nadeem F. (May 15, 2014). "12 songs from Pakistan's mountains, deserts, shrines and streets". DAWN.COM.
  18. ^ Menghwar, Gobind (September 4, 2022). "TRIBUTE: THE SONG OF THE PEACOCK". DAWN.COM.
  19. ^ "News stories for Sohail Sangi - DAWN.COM". www.dawn.com.
  20. ^ Correspondent, A. (February 15, 2021). "Ex-Thar MPA dies in India". DAWN.COM. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ "Mahesh Malani becomes 1st Hindu to win NA seat from Tharparkar in Sindh". Press Trust of India. July 26, 2018 – via Business Standard.
  22. ^ Hussain, Hidayat (March 6, 2017). "I was handcuffed and tied but it was worth my fight against One Unit". DAWN.COM.
  23. ^ "Renowned Sindhi politician and leftist leader Jam Saqi passes away". March 5, 2018.
  24. ^ Khan, Sanaullah (July 28, 2021). "PM Imran appoints ex-CM Arbab Ghulam Rahim as SAPM on Sindh Affairs". DAWN.COM.
  25. ^ "Lal Kumar | Pakistan Cricket Team | Official Cricket Profiles | PCB". www.pcb.com.pk.
  26. ^ "Chetan Mal Arwani - Profile, Political Career & Election History". UrduPoint.
  27. ^ "Obituary: Voice of the voiceless no more". The Express Tribune. September 29, 2016.
  28. ^ Staff, Web Desk (July 25, 2022). "Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi passes away".
  29. ^ Samoon, Hanif (June 30, 2021). "Thari lawyers warn police officials to mend their ways & stop humiliating lawyers, litigants". The Pakistan Daily.
  30. ^ "Mai Dhai: Pakistani Legendary Folk Singer's Classic Tale!". July 30, 2020.
  31. ^ "Welcome to the Website of Provincial Assembly of Sindh". www.pas.gov.pk.
  32. ^ Correspondent, A. (October 26, 2019). "Ex-lawmaker Ghulam M. Lot passes away". DAWN.COM. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  33. ^ "Abdul Qadir Junejo (1945 – 2020) – Novelist / Drama Writer / Avid Reader".
  34. ^ "Welcome to the Website of Provincial Assembly of Sindh". www.pas.gov.pk.
  35. ^ "Faryal urges PPP leaders to shun differences". May 22, 2022.
  36. ^ "PPP chief says all citizens equal". Latest News - The Nation.
  37. ^ Goswami, Modhumita (2022). An Army Wife on a Trapeze: Travel, Tales and more. ISBN 9789392929526.
  38. ^ Hasan, Shazia (April 3, 2015). "Footprints: The ties that bind". DAWN.COM.
  39. ^ "Sindh govt forms a committee for survey, settlement of desert lands in three districts, says Rana Hamir Singh". July 30, 2021.