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 | |
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]
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 MuslimorHindu, have always been peaceful to each other.[14] Some Thari women work coal mining jobs across Sindh.[15]
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]
The Thari people speak the Dhatki language, an Indo-Aryan language. The Thari also speak Sindhi and Urdu.[16]
Notable Thari people include:
