308
GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS
“A”
ATI
= Hairs woven
ANGUTA
= Thumb
AM GOT
= Banjara Sub-sect
ACHO
= Good
AYE
= Good only
BANJARAS
= A name of a Tribe in plural
BRIJWASI
= Sub-group of Banjara (those reside in Hills)
BALADIA
= Sub-group of Banjaras (those transported
on bullocks)
BAMANIA
= Sub-group of Banjara
BRINJARI
= Sub-group of Banjaras
BAGORA
= Sub-group of Banjaras
BADI
= Sub-group of Banjaras
BAJIGAR
= Sub-group of Banjaras
BHARAVA
= Sub-group of Banjaras who are specialized
in Making their ornaments out of leadtherefore they are also called as ‘Rangpari’
BALAD
= Bullocks
BHURIA
= Nose ring
BARKASI
= A type of shirt worn by men having twelve
knots.
BANAT
= Shal
BOTI
= Meat
309
BATI
= Bread (Chpati or Roti)
BHANG
= Part of a ceremony in a marriage
BHIYA
= Elder brother
BHAGAT
= Worshiper of Banjara God and Goddess and
soothe sooth sayer
BHOPA
= Worshiper of Banjara God and Goddess and
soothe sooth sayer with different status
BAVAN BARAD
= Part of Vidharabha consisting Yeotmal,
Akola, Amaravati, Buldana districts
BHAYA
= Aunty generally addresses to her nephew as
Bhaya
BHUKIYA
= Sub-sect of Banjara
BAGAD DHARA
= Name of the region named by Banjaras for
their Judiciary (Panchayat) purpose
BUDIRAHAL
GAJRAT
= Name of the region consisting the area
between Narmad and Tapi rivers
BARANPUREROCHOK = Name of the Part of Madhya Pradesh around
Khandwa
BINJRAWAT
= Sub-sect of Banjara
BANNOT
= Sub-sect of Banjara
BADATIA
(Vadatia)
= Sub-sect of Banjaras
BAMLOT
= Sub-sect of Banjara
BHOGA
= Enjoy or experience
BAPA
= Father
BAPOOREE
= Father’s
BHARI
=Heavily
«c>
CHARAN
= Sub-group of Banjaras
310
CHOONDO
= A type of hair-do
CHOODO
= Bangles out of ivory and bones worn on
upper arm
CHATAKI
= Ring worn to the last finger of the leg
CHHEVATIA
= A kind of attachment to the apron of bride
CHANDOLA
= Hair junction just at the back of neck
CHOKADA
= An ornament of chains tied around the ear
CHHOONGA
= A decorative ornament generally pined in
the turban of gents as a mark of respect
and dignity
CHATIANGLI
= Smallest finger of a leg
CHHOO-MATTAR
= Black magic
CHOWHAN
= Sub-sect of Banjara
CHOOTEJ
= Got rid off
CHALI
= Going
CHOONDO
= A type of hair-do
“D”
DHADI
= Sub-sect of Banjaras
DHALIA
= Drum beater of Banjara community
DIGORA
= Drum beater of Banjara community
DOLDA DHOTI
= Doubled dhoti (Indian type of wearing a
piece of cloth in the place of pant)
DORI JHARLO
= Part of Banjara bride’s dress or a mark of
decoration while sending her off
DHAKANI
= Knee
DHAMOLI
= Eatable thing specially prepared by
Banjaras during their teej festival
311
DHERO
= An instrument used for twining the thread
DHADKI
= Soft, cushion like thing used on the back of
bullock, made out of cut pieces of old
clothes artistically made to avoid hurting of
the back of the bullock
DAMAN
= Specially prepared a rope with such
arrangements to tie by the neck at least ten
to twenty, animals in a row both the ends of
this ‘Daman’ is pegged to the earth
DHAVALO
= Pathetic song sung by Banjara ladies
DAVALI
= Festival Deevali
DHOOND
= It is part of Holi festival
DAYAE SANE
= Old and wise men
DHARA
= Judiciary region of Banjaras
DHALLIRO
GOHERO
= Banjaras area in the vicinity of Delhi capital
who gathered to witness the Darbar
proceedings
DHARAMSOT
= Sub-sect of Banjaras
DAI-SANT
= Old and wise ladies
DAD
= Sooth saying by Bhagat
DAD-DA
= When the relatives of deceased come to
consol the berieved at that time a type of
pathetic songs are sung by weeping by only
married and widow women
= A bullocks presented to bride on which
bride stands and sings ‘Haveli’ (Blessing
song)
DEJU
“E”
EDI
= Knee
“G”
GOUR
= Main Banjara group
GOR
= Main Banjara group
312
GORNI
= Wife
GWAR
= Main Banjara group
GAWARIA
= Main Banjara group
GAURIA
= Main Banjara group
GORMATI
= Banjaras address amongst themselves as
‘Gormati7
GAMALIA
= Sub-group of Banjaras
GAVARIA
= Sub-group of Banjaras
GAVARA
= Sub-group of Banjaras
GIGORA
= Sub-group
GAD-KI-RO-JANGYA
= Pant worn by Banjara gents
GUD-KI-RO-JJANGYA
= Pant worn by Banjara gents
GHOOGARI
= A type of lead ornament woven or tied to the
hair and the same hanging on the temples this marks married women
GHOONGATO
= Vali attached to ‘too-ka-ri (Upran)
GA-RA-TA-NI
= Black beeds tied to the leg only to
unmarried girls
GO-KHARU
= Ear rings
GHE-RI
= A type of hair cut done by Banjaras
GOR-BOLI
= Banjara Dialect
GO-DO
= Knee
GAL-VANI
= A liquid sweet prepared by Banjaras to eat
with chapattis (wheat bread)
GHO-TA
= Soft drink prepared out of Jagary and
served to the people at the time of marriage.
GHUNDI-WALOHA-DA-KA
= Knotted bone specially given to elderly
person as a mark of respect.
313
GOON
GOONI
= Specially made bag for carrying 2-1/2
maunds load of food grains to be placed on
the back of bullock.
GOR-PANCHAYAT
= Banjara Panchayat or Banjara court
GOL
= Jagary - as a matter of fact this betrothel
ceremony celebrated by distributing jagary
to the participants.
GOT
= Last ceremony of the marriage by sacrificing
a goat in the name of ancestors.
GAN-GOR
= Idol prepared by earth at the time of Teej
festival.
GOR-HAM
= Sub-sect of Banjara - this is one of the 12
padas of pawars.
GHU-LA-RA-SU
= Like ‘Ghular’ tree
GE-RIA
= Expert Holi folk song singer and holi player
almost acts like a ring master from gents
side is known a ‘Gena’
GER-NI
= Feminine gender of Ge-Ria
GER
= A ceremony celebrated as validectoy
function of ‘Holi’ by sacrificing goats and
sheep collectively by the entire Thanda
(encampment) of Banaras.
“H”
HAR
= Green
HASALI
= Necklace made out of lead or silver.
HEEK
= Central bone in the breast.
HEEVO
= Breast
HOLI
= Holi festival of God ‘Kama’ (Jupitor)
HASAB
= Account
HA-VELI
= Banjara
314
HI-YA
= A type of sound made at every stage of
‘Dhavalo’ which is known as Banjara
language.
HARI-YA-LI
= Lawn
HARI-YA-Li-SU
= Like a lawn
HARI-RES
= Remain green
HARI
= Greenish
“J”
JOGI
= A sect of Banjaras who do ornaments out of
heeds.
JHAGALA
= Banjara gents upran
JHALPA
= Banjara gents ring like hair dress.
JALAVA-DHO-KERO
= This is the type of ceremony performed after
the third day of child’s birth.
JYOT
= Banjara sub-sect
JU
= Like
“K”
KANGHI
= Comb
KANGASHIYA
= Sub-group of professional name of Banjara.
KODI
= Sea shell used as ornament.
KACHALI
= Blouse with bare back.
KAS-VANKADI
= Brass Anklets
KANA DORI
= Thread tied to waist.
KANA DORO
= Silver chain like thing tied to the waist.
KANGORA
= A type of hair cut.
KHALDI
= Skin
KOONI
= Joint between forearm and upper arm
315
KOTHALI
= Hand bag with embroidery work and
specially made for the use of Banjara bride­
groom and the same is used on some
important occasions.
KANIYA
= Ear rings worn by men.
KALDA
= Silver wrist ring worn by men.
KADAO
= Sweet hard food generally prepared as
‘Prasad’ out of wheat flour or rice and
jagari.
KADAI
= Sweet hard food generally prepared as
‘Prasad’ out of wheat flour or rice and jagari
but in liquid form
KULLAR
= Dry mixture of wheat flour sugar or Jagari.
KARBHARI
KANDIYA
= Executive post of Banjara Thanda
Panchayat.
KALIMAS
= Cake prepared with the mixture of wheat
flour and sugar.
KHERALI
= Amavasya at the eve of Divali.
= Banjara called by this name in old
Karnataka region.
KANGIWALA
= A name of Banjaras who did the profession
of comb making.
KURHA or KARRA
= A sect of Gor Banjaras from Chowans.
KANGASHI-GHADA
= Comb maker
KARBHARANI
= Feminine
KOONA
= Who
KHADI
= Ate
KHAYES
= Eat
KONI
= No
316
LAMAN
= Synonym of Banjara
LABAN
= Synonym of Banjara
LABHANA
= Synonym of Banjara
LAMBANI
= Synonym of Banjara
LAMANI
= Synonym of Banjara
LADENIA
= Synonym of Banjara
LAMBADA
= Synonym of Banjara
LOBHANA
= Synonym of Banjara
LAMBADI
= Synonym of Banjara
LABANA
= Synonym of Banjara
LALDI
= Necklace of beeds
LAGAVAN
= Curry
LERYA
= Clown accompanying bride-groom.
LERANI
= Feminine gender of ‘Lerya’
LAKHA BANJARA
= Name of the Banjara Hero
LAVADIA
= Sub-sect of Banjaras.
LIMBADASU
= Like neem tree
LEHRES
= To spread
“M”
MATHURA
= Sub-sect of Banjara (singular form)
MATHURE
= Sub-sect of Banjara (plural form)
MARU
= Sub-sect of Banjara
MOONGA
= Black beed
MOLIA
= A piece of red cloth tied around the head of
317
a bride-groom in place of turban.
MARKI
= Ear ring worn by men.
MA
= Mother
MERA
= Mass greeting by Thanda (Banjara
encampment) girls during Divali.
MARIYAMA
= Banjara Goddess.
MALAO
= Assembly of Banjar elders to settle their
disputes.
MARU-DHARA
= Gions of Banjaras one of the judicial re-
MUCHHAL
= Sub-sect of Banjaras
MAI SAN
= Sub-sect of Banjaras
MUNDHAN
= Sub-sect of Banjaras
MOOD
= Sub-sect of Banjaras another form of
addressing the Mudhals.
MAL
= Expressing the reunion by way of singing
pathetic songs.
MAL-LA
= Adjective of ‘Mai’ (to direct to express the
reunion)
MALA-LO
= Plural form of ‘Malala’
MUNDO-MAND
= To direct to express sorrow by singing
pathetic song at the demise of nearer
relatives.
MARE
= Mine
MAYIN
= From inside
“N”
NAVI
= Barber
NAREJA
= Sepcial mutton preparation at the time of
worshiping Diety by sacrificing a goat when
‘Samnak’ and ‘Dasarav festivals celebrated
by Banjaras.
318
NAVALERI
= Bride
NAIK
= Head of Thanda.
NAYAK
NASAB
= Head of Thanda.
= Session of the Gor-Panchayath.
NAKTA
= A programme in a marriage.
NAYAKAN
= Wife of the Thanda Nayak.
NANGARI
= Respectfully addressing of a Thanda.
NASABI
= Judge Ike
NAVA
= Soft behavior (humble)
NA VIYUN
= To live with humble behaviour.
NAKE
= The mouth of a needle.
NIKALIYU
= Pass through
“O”
OLMO
= Disgrace
OKARA
= A kind of rectangular bag of jute put on
‘Dhadaki’ used on the back of a bullock
while transporting food grains.
PHOOLA
= A kind of ornament used in the finger.
PHETIA
= A Banjara lady skirt.
PAGADI
= Banajara turban.
PHERMA-DHOTI
POOND
= A kind of wearing of dhoti by youths of
Banjaras.
= Buttocks
PEENDI
- Calf
PATHADA
= Attachment round ‘Deju’ or Bullock.
319
= A programme of holi festival on the second
day.
PHAG
PEEDIYA
KHOSAYERO
PATHARI
= A game of strength between boys and girls
on the occasion ofTeej.
= Something spread for sitting of elderly
PAWAR
persons.
= A sub sect of Banjaras
POONARO-TAKHAT
= Conduct Banjara ‘Nasab’
PALO
= Protected by (Gents)
POSO
= Nursed
PALI
= Protected by (Feminine)
PEEDI
= Drunk
PHELES
= To spread
PEEYES
= May drink
“R”
ROHIDAS
= A section of Mathura Banjaras
RAKHADI
= Ornament of copper worn by a married
woman just above the knee.
RASADI
= A strong jute thread used to tag cattle, it is
of small fingers’ diameter.
RASOI
= A kind of food preparation prepared at the
time of any public function.
RES
= To be
RANGO
= Lead
ROOPO
= Sliver
“S”
SHIRKI
= A kind of grass
SHIRKIBAND
= Banjaras doing Shirki profession.
SHIRKIWALE
= One who did shirki profession.
320
SANAR
= One who did shirki profession those who
prepare Banjara ornaments.
SINGADIA
SUGALI
= Banjara musician.
= Banjaras who reared good cow. It is a
Telugu word.
= A wheat bread prepared on the occasion of a
programme called Dhoond in Holi festival.
= A kind of mutton preparation using the
blood.
SUNVALI
SALOI
SULARI BOTI
= Roasted mutton in small pieces.
SUTALI
= Jute thread
SUO
= Big needle
SAGAI
= Betrothed
SAKIYARORAPIA
= A rupee paid to Nayak in confirmation of the
settlement of the marriage.
SADI TANERO
= First ceremony of the marriage at the place
of bride groom.
SAMAN
= Omen
SAPANO
= Dream
SAKI
= Small story
SEVA-BHAYA
= A noted Banjara saint worshipped by
Banjaras of South india.
SATI
= A system followed by widows who commited
suicide after their husband’s death.
SAMAR-DANDI
= A place where Banjaras assemble for rest
after their work.
SAKARAJ
= Make use of the services for using a happy
region.
SASU
= Mother-in-law.
SUIRE
= Through the needle.
321
TANDO
= Banjara Camp
TOOKARI
= Banjara Apron
TOPLI
= Silver ornament tied to the hair.
TEEKI
= Ornament used by unmarried girls on their
forehead.
TODA
= Silver ornament used in right leg by
respectable Banjara men.
TANGADI
THANDA NAYAK
= A jute bag offered to the bride containing all
her belongings.
= Head of a Thanda or Thandas
TEEJ
= A Banjara festival
TONA
= To you
TALAGANO
= Andhra Pradesh
THANDA PACHAYAT
=Gor Panchayat
TAKAT
= A place of importance where disputes are
decided.
TOMA
= In you
TU
= You
TAPIYU
= To withstand heat
TOHI
= Even then
TAMAN
= To you
«V”
VANIJYAM
= Trader. It is a Sanskrit word.
VANAJARA
= Gujarati version of Banjara
VANJARI
= Marathi version of Banjara
VA-KADI-(RANKADI)
= Brass ornament worn by women in their
legs.
322
VEENTI
= Ring
VADHAO, VADAO
= A song recited by Banjaras ladies during
marriage.
VAYA
= Marriage
VETADU
= Bridegroom
VADATIYA
= A sect of Gor Banjara
VANJRAVAT
= A sect of Gor Banjara
VADES
= Grow
VEKALPO
= A kind of song recited at the time of birth.
YA
= Mother
YE YADI
= Oh Mother
YE YA
= Oh Mother
“Z”
ZHAD
= Tree
ZHOL
= A grove on the bank of a steam near
Banjara encampment.