Language
The Kutchi language is classified as an Indo-Aryan language. As the Kutchi people have often been travelers and traders, the Kutchi language has influences of almost every surrounding dialect, and is thus very difficult to learn and translate. Much like English is a mixture of French and German—with traces of just about everything else—Kutchi is technically a dialect of Sindhi (an official language in both India and Pakistan), but is heavily influenced by Gujarati, so much so that when written it uses the traditional Gujarati script.
Due to their geographical closeness, most Kutchi people are either bilingual or trilingual. Those living in Pakistan typically speak and understand Sindhi or Urdu, while Kutchis of India also speak Gujarati and possibly a dialect of Hindi.
Kutch: the second largest province in India, located in the Northwestern state of Gujarat along the border with Pakistan.
Kutchi: the ancient people group who inhabit the Kutch province, primarily made up of fisherman and artisans. Large populations of Kutchi also live in Africa and Pakistan.
One People – Two Continents
As sea traders, the Kutchi built cities along the trading routes of the Arabian Sea, even as far as East Africa where they established homes 200-300 years ago. Today, these two “halves” of the people group hold to their ancient culture in very different environments.
Culture
The first thing most visitors notice about the Kutchi people is color! As many are artisans and craftsmen, Kutchi women wear elaborately designed clothes made by a unique method of tie-dying fabrics. This process creates a sunburst pattern of intensely bright colors. Beyond clothing, this sort of design is also used to make elaborate embroideries used as tablecloths, wall hangings, handbags, bedspreads and more.
Religion
The major religions of the Kutchi people are Hindu and Islam. As the Kutchi people are split between India, Pakistan and Africa, most of their religious affiliation is often dictated by their location. Most of the Kutchi in India are Hindu, most of those in Pakistan are Muslim, and those that have spread throughout Africa and beyond have either retained the religion of their family or have converted to conform to the place where they now live. Sadly, few Christians are known to exist.
Celebrations
In the Kutchi tradition, almost every phase of the moon is acknowledged by either a celebration, fast, or other sort of ritual. Similarly, every day of the year is attributed to a particular god or goddess. Some days are considered fortunate or lucky, while others carry with them a sense of evil and are thought to result in unfavorable events depending on what is foretold by the Paanchaang, a sort of almanac.
Ashadi Beej (mid-July)
This is the celebration of the New Year. According to the traditional Kutchi calendar, known as the Halari Samwat, the New Year begins on the first day of the monsoon season, typically in mid-July. This day is celebrated with much joy and color, and typically involves songs by Kutchi poets that have been written to welcome the rains.
Fair of Mota Yaksh (Sept. 15)
This is the largest festival in Kutch, lasting for three days. Legend claims that angels came to the Kutchi people and taught them the principle artisan skills that form the basis of their culture. It’s held each year 40 km south of Bhuj, at the site of the temple that marks the angels’ coming.
Diet
A majority of Kutchi are strict vegetarians, due significantly to the large Hindu population. Some of the Christian and Muslim populations eat poultry and fish, but the consumption of beef is prohibited due to the Hindu culture and pork is scarcely available to appease the Muslim population. Alcohol in the region has been prohibited in modern times, as the entire state of Gujarat is legally dry to honor it as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.
Milk is considered to be a sacred food, offered to guests in order to honor and welcome them. Also, many legal and social agreements are concluded by drinking milk together—including financial transactions, dispute arbitration, and sealing the engagement of a bride and groom.
Economy
Most Kutchi are quite poor, but those living in India have benefited by being in the state of Gujarat, one of the country’s fastest growing state economies. Historically, the major industries of the Kutchi people have been fishing, sea trade, crafts, and farming. Sea trade has diminished significantly as a source of income; however, many Kutchi have opened up small trucking fleets and continue on in the shipping tradition of their ancestors.
Handicrafts are still very important, with much of the world’s fine embroidery still being made in rural areas throughout the Kutchi region. A few corporations organize the worldwide trade of these handmade goods, but unfortunately few of the profits remain in the region.
Bajalia Trading Company pays fair trade prices for Kutchi products and will be at IBC February 7 with items available for purchase.
Ten Ways You Can Get Involved
Learn more about IBC’s work in Kutch as you pray through the 4th edition of the Kutchi Prayer Guide. Pick up your copy at the Kutchi kiosk in the Town Square or email your snail mail address to amartinez@irvingbible.org and we’ll mail one to you.
Donate towards the 2009 Kutchi Vision Conference to be held in Kutch in February 2010. IBC sponsors this annual gathering of Indian believers/agencies/churches as they meet to celebrate God’s work among the Kutchi, plan for future ministry, cast vision and encourage others to join the work. Note “2010 Kutchi Vision Conference” on your donation.
Visit the Kutchi kiosk in the Town Square and pick up a free 2010 Calendar created by the Kutchi Development Project (KDP) team in India.
Partner with an IBCer going to Kutch this February by being a part of their support team. Following the conference (see #2), they’ll be teaching biblical entrepreneurship to local business owners, encouraging the staff at the Dalit Education Centers and visiting Christians in several villages. Note “2010 IBC Kutch Team Member” on your donation.
Join the IBC Kutchi team. Stay informed about the ongoing work of God among the Kutchi through IBC. Meet regularly throughout the year to pray for the Kutchi and to receive updates from IBCers who are traveling to/from Kutch and other areas of the world where Kutchi live. Find out how you can apply to join a future short-term team. Email debbie.atteberry@verizon.net to add your name to the IBC Kutchi team contact list.
Sponsor a student at a Dalit Education Center in Anterjal or Adhoi for $28 per month. You’ll be giving them a hand up as they receive a quality education that is otherwise out of their reach. Go to www.dalitchild.com and under “Sponsor a Child” click on ”View photos of children.” In the State/Province dropdown choose “Gujarat,” then for School choose “Adhoi” or “Antarjal” to find a student to sponsor. Or stop by the DFN Sponsor a Child booth at IBC on February 14.
Visit www.bajalia.com to purchase fair trade products made by artisans in Kutch and stop by the Bajalia display in the Town Square at IBC on February 7.
Wander through the Kutchi art display near the Mosaic Cafe and see how God has gifted them with amazing skills.
Learn more about the Dalit Freedom Movement at www.dalitnetwork.org and pray for justice for all people in Kutch.
Experience the Perspectives course to learn more about
God’s heart for the world and his plan to bring himself worship from every tongue, tribe and nation (including the Kutchi)! Visit www.perspectives.org for more information.
Special thanks to Steven Harrell and members of the IBC International Initiatives staff for their help in gathering information for this story.
