COBRA GYPSIES - full documentary
Raphael Treza・11 minutes read
The Kalbeliya tribe, known as "those who love snakes," are nomadic dancers and musicians in Northern India, with filmmaker Raphael Treza documenting their unique lifestyle and traditions, including charcoal-making for protection, henna sales, cobra-handling, and unique wedding and funeral rituals. They break caste barriers during Holi celebrations, symbolize cobras, and believe in the dangerous venom of the Fucan lizard, showcasing their rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Insights
- The Kalbeliya tribe in Northern India, known as "those who love snakes," consists of nomadic dancers and musicians who use charcoal from Kata tree branches to protect their village from wild animals like panthers.
- Krishma, a sedentary Kalbeliya, represents a new generation breaking caste barriers by selling henna to tourists, teaching Kalbeliya dance, and being part of the first gypsy generation to attend school, showcasing a shift towards modernization within the community.
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Recent questions
Who are the Kalbeliya tribe?
Nomadic dancers and musicians in Northern India.
What is the significance of the Kata tree to the Kalbeliyas?
They use its branches to make charcoal for protection.
How do the Kalbeliyas celebrate Holi?
With music, dancing, and breaking caste barriers.
What are some of the beliefs of the Kalbeliyas regarding animals?
They view cobras as symbols and fear the Fucan lizard's venom.
What are some of the unique rituals of the Kalbeliyas?
They have arranged marriages from childhood and celebrate funerals with music and dancing.
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Summary
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"Nomadic Kalbeliya tribe of Rajasthan Gypsies"
- The Kalbeliya tribe in Northern India, known as "those who love snakes," is a nomadic group of dancers and musicians, emblematic of the Rajasthan Gypsies.
- Filmmaker and musician Raphael Treza embarks on a 3-month journey with the Kalbeliyas, starting in Mumbai and venturing into the Thaar desert in Rajasthan.
- The Kalbeliyas make charcoal from the Kata tree branches to protect their village from wild animals like panthers.
- Krishma, a sedentary Kalbeliya, sells henna to tourists and teaches Kalbeliya dance, part of the first generation of gypsies to attend school.
- The Kalbeliyas celebrate Holi, a festival of colors, with music and dancing, breaking caste barriers for joyful anarchy.
- The Kalbeliyas handle cobras as a symbol, with Surumnat exhibiting them for money, and believe in the Fucan lizard's dangerous venom.
- Rumal takes Raphael honey hunting, avoiding aggressive bees in Rajasthan, while Rakesh searches for cobras with his son.
- The Kalbeliyas have unique wedding rituals, with couples arranged from childhood, and celebrate funerals with music and dancing, not cremation.
