Customs and beliefs of Raika pastoralists of Rajasthan associated with camel husbandry

284-286The paper provides an overview on some customs and beliefs of Raika pastoralists related to camel husbandry. Qualitative information was collected from 60 camel owning Raika families from 4 selected villages of Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Camels play a central and identifying role in various rituals, customs, traditions and ceremonial functions. Camel rearing has influenced the culture life of the Raikas to a great extent. Their knowledge was based on practical experiences and superstitions. Traditionally, Raika neither sell camel milk nor other products like hair and hide. Sacrificing of camel for meat was found totally prohibited among them. Thus, relationship with camel was found to be more cultural rather than purely economic