Chippa community of Rajasthan - The Traditional Dyers

Chippa community of Rajasthan - The Traditional Dyers :

It is a well-known fact that in India the division of communities and castes was done on the basis of the chosen occupation. For example, the individuals who would choose intellectual means of livelihood like teacher and consultants would have their separate community from the other people whose occupation is ruling or trading. This division helped in the formation of exclusive culture and traditions ensuring that the society as a whole grows in each and every aspect.

One testament of this detail is the presence of the communities that are still known by their ‘traditional occupation’ like the Chhipas. Known by various other names like Chhimpi, Chhimpa, or Chhipi, Chhipas are one of the well-recognized communities of Rajasthan, the primary occupation of which is dyeing and printing of clothes.

According to a legend, Chhipa was originally a warrior class or Kshatriyas. They used to have a similar lifestyle like that of a Rajput that involves physical activities like hunting, and battle-combats. Once, when, according to Hindu epic Mahabharata, Lord Parshurama was killing all the Kshatriyas to avenge his father, two brothers of the clan took refuge in a temple. One of them hid behind the idol of the presiding deity and got the name ‘Chhipa’ literal for Hindi verb ‘to hide’. Later the Rajput boy adopted the profession of fabric printers or dyers and thence was no longer a Kshatriya. The lineage of this Rajput boy is the present day Chhipas.

Another account of the Chhipa’s origin states that it wasn’t the Lord Parshuram the Chhipa Rajputs were hiding but Turco-Mongol conqueror Taimur. Yet another source states that the name was derived from the root word ‘Chhapna’ or ‘Chhap’ which means to print, which makes sense since it consonants with the primary job of the community.

In Rajasthan, and especially in the villages like Bagru, most of the Chhipas are still engaged in their traditional work, though many of the others have chosen other areas due to the paucity of income associated health hazards. Nevertheless, the traditional fabric printing and dyeing arts of Rajasthan like Bandhej, Bagru, leheriya, etc. still remain synonymous with the community.

History :

The word chhipa is believed to come from two Nepal Bhasa words, "chhi" (to dye) and "pa" (to leave something to bask in sun). According to old Gujarati record books, referred to as Balwa Pothy, their Rajput community was founded in Nagaur, Rajasthan and later spread to Gujarat where they took up the skill of dyeing and printing fabrics.

Ranjitkar ( Chhipaa or Ranjit) is one of the castes of Newar. The Newari caste system is divided according to profession. The Ranjitkar caste is concerned with the dyeing of clothes as well as other color related activities. The word "Ranjitkar" comes from Sanskrit origins crudely meaning "people concerned with colors" whereas the word "Chhipaa" is a Nepal Bhasa compound word which can be roughly translated as "color and allow to dry".

Chippa Community in other areas :

They are Rajput. The community was originally found in Nagaur in Rajasthan. After their settlement in rajsthan and Gujarat, the community took up the occupation of dyeing and printing clothes. The community speak Marwari, and are found mainly in rajshan (jodhpur, bikaner, nagaur, kuchaman, kuchera, churu, hudas and etc..) and in north Gujarat, in the districts of Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Baroda and Bharuch. Most Chhipa also speak Gujarati.[ Chhipa are also known as Chhimpa in Bikaner. In Punjab too, number of chippas live especially Bathinda, Malout, Muktsar, Moga and faridkot. There are 800 homes of Chippa in Bathinda alone. They belong to Sikhism. People from the chippa clan go to Ghuman Sahib to celebrate the birthday of Bhagat Namdev. Bhagat Namdev holy words are also in Guru Granth Sahib. Surnames or Gotras of Chippa family are Battu, Taggar, Rai, Kamboh, Saggu, Sran, bagria, Hallan, Chahil, Aulakh, Bedi, karir, Pharwaha, Neeraj, Sappal, garcha, Rattan, kainth, Jassal, vattu, Virpal, Braha or Birha, Rakhra, Purba, Gill (they are also found in Jatt clan) and Rohilla.

Some Kainth, Jassal, Rakhra, Birha and Vattu families live in Glasgow, Uk. They are migrated from Punjab (Moga, Kotkapura and Malout cities).

Now the Chhipa community is divided into a number of clans, known as ataks, the main ones being the Tak, Bhati, Deora, Chauhan and Molani,panwar ,rao,kukda Each of these clans are of equal status, and intermarry. But the community has a marked preference for cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages. Surnames or Gotras of Chippa family are Battu, Taggar, Rai, Kamboh, Saggu, Sran, Bagria, Hallan, Chahil, Aulakh, Bedi, karir, Pharwaha, Neeraj, Sappal, garcha, Rattan, kainth, Jassal (they are also found in Jatt clan) , Vattu, Virpal, Braha or Birha, Rakhra, Purba, Gill (they are also found in Jatt clan) and Rohilla.

                                 Though the traditional occupation of the Chippa is dyeing and printing cloth, many are now cloth merchants. The main marriage symbols for women are vermilion and toe-rings (bichua). Dowry is given in cash and kind. Remarriage (natra) is allowed for widows, widowers and divorcees. Their literacy rate is low, and only a few have received education up to the high school level.

There are semantic obstacles to their integration with modern society. This community speaks more than 20 languages, and each language sub-group may well need a separate outreach and church planting project.