Camel Artists of the Jats

Decorated camels play an important role in creating the identity and status of livestock owners in the community of the Jat tribe of Sindh. The attachment of Jats (camel breeders, not the buffalo breeders of Badin) to their camels can be seen in terms of eye-catching patterns which they make on the camel’s coat. The camel is essentially receives such a beautiful haircut that it virtually looks like a piece of art. From a distance, it looks as if a relli, a patchwork appliqué, is placed on the camel.

The practice of making patterns on the camel coat is common in the different districts of Sindh. The whole of the body of camel, including neck and tail is skillfully patterned. Mostly camels that have more hair are chosen for creating patterns, while others are decorated with colourful cloth and trappings. Scissors are the only instrument used. Jats begin to create patterns on the camel either in the last week of February or in the first week of March. In these months, the weather in Sindh begins to move in a pleasant direction.

In former times, pictorial designs were also in vogue. Designs of birds, notably peacocks, parrots and sparrows were affectionately created. In the past two decades, the Jats have stopped making these designs. However, the Jats now prefer the use of floral designs on the camels’ coats. And they have full knowledge about the flowers that they depict on the camels’ coats. Apart from the lotus flower (Paban jo Gul) and sunflower (Suraj Mukhi), all other flowers are identified by the number of leaves (pan).

The lotus is the favourite flower of the Jats. On almost every camel this flower is seen patterned. This flower is a symbol of purity and beauty for the Jats. In fact, the rellis made by Jats also carry lotus designs in a variety of forms. Their dwellings are also sometimes painted with lotus depictions.

There does not exist a clear relationship between specific space and design. Sometimes, a sunflower pattern is made below the hump and sometimes on the belly. However, the artist is more careful about the symmetrical aspect.

Apart from patterns on camel coats, the Jats also spend a lot of their time in training their camels for camel races. It is major source of entertainment. Mostly, the camel races are held on the eve of melas at the shrines . Besides these, the Jats also arrange monthly camel race in which bets are laid. People keep two things in mind while betting on a camel race. First, they assess the previous record of that camel to see how many races it has won and second they inquire about the rider of the camel. Generally, the betting runs into large sums of money.

The camel race is a test for young Jats who demonstrate their masculinity in the race. The Jat youth’s victory in the race transforms him into responsible adult who can take good care of his father’s profession. Through this victory, he gets a new identity in the community of Jats. The family lavishly celebrates his victory. A feast invariably follows in which relatives from far flung areas are invited to celebrate the event. He puts on a very costly dress on this occasion. Afterwards, he enjoys a very prestigious position in the community.

If the Jat loses the race, he loses his honour. In order to regain his and his family honour, he prepares himself all the year round to win the next race. Fathers or even distant relatives give training to young Jats for the race. Sometimes, the father of a camel rider pays a trainer either in kind or cash. If the trainee wins the race, first and foremost, he would pay regards to his teacher.

During melas, aside from the races, famous and renowned riders make their camels dance. There is a great hustle and bustle during the camel dancing. The owners of the camels bring their camels lavishly adorned with decorative ornaments and eye-catching patterns to fairs.

The role of artists in the community is also very important. They are greatly respected by Jats. Senior or experienced artists are more respectable for Jats than junior ones. In fact, senior artists wield great power in the community of Jats. It is the artist who decides whether a camel is to take part in a race or not. Furthermore, he is supposed to find or finalize the name of a rider for the camel race. Nobody goes against his decision. He also hands down the centuries-old tradition of camel decoration to his juniors or young Jats. During the months of March and April, his otak (a space exclusively reserved for men) is full of new artists who come from far-flung areas to learn to make patterns on the camel coat. When he creates patterns on the camel, the young Jats will observe the activity very seriously and attentively. A senior artist does not get payments for the training. He only gets payments for the camel decoration. He finishes creating patterns on the camel in two or three days. Each camel decoration costs 2,000 to 5,000 rupees. Some artists decorate the camels of their friends and relatives free of cost.

When they fully become established artists, they arrange a large gathering of renowned Jats who come and acknowledge the works of their juniors. In this gathering, camel owners are also called to see their work.