From a Community to a ‘Scheduled Tribe’: A Ethnographic Study of the Hatti

Abstract

The Hatti community of the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur District with its recent inclusion in Article 342 of the Indian constitution was designated as Scheduled Tribe (ST). The research article is an ethnographic account of the Hatti Tribe of the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh. The study documents the rich culture and tradition of the Hattis in the existing social institutions of caste, family, marriage, kinship, political organisation and religion on account of fieldwork that was conducted in seven villages. The caste system of the Hatti observes strict defined hierarchies, their pre-determined roles and often determines occupation. It is divided into upper, middle and lower caste, with each caste further divided into sub-categories. The institution of kinship amongst the Hattis is unique and the recognition of kin is extended to the father’s father brother family such that kinship is identified and terminology is used for father’s father family. In addition, they recognise both consanguine and affinal kin and there is no distinct kinship term for lineal and collateral kin. The institution of marriage is also unique in its own way with five types of marriages that are known to take place in the area. Some of them are polyandrous marriage, monogamous marriage, remarriage usually/often after divorce, child marriage and marriage by elopement. Interestingly, all marriages have a different cultural process to solemnise the wedding. The political organisation of the Hattis is known by Khumbli, a traditional council that governs the law and order in the villages, is categorised as per village territories and is still considered the first place to resort differences. There is a close relationship between political and religious organisation such that many a times dispute resolution may take place at the deity level. The Hatti reflect a similar culture and tradition to the Jaunsari, a recognised ST in Uttarakhand. The existing Daichara between the two tribes is one of the strong indicators of common ancestral lines. The ethnographic account of the Hatti tribe in the research article is the first of its kind that documents the culture of the Hatti after they were granted the status of the ST before it embarked on the journey of planned development.