From Sarkivasi (nomadic) to Gaonvasi (villager): The impact of sedentarisation on Rajasthan's stigmatised Nat community

Abstract

The Nat community in Rajasthan is among the most stigmatised groups. Traditionally known as a nomadic entertainment group, they are currently involved in various economic activities, including sex work, which carries significant societal stigma. This paper investigates the interconnected phenomena of sedentarisation and stigmatisation, illuminating the Nat community's transition from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle. The study was conducted across five districts in Rajasthan, a princely state in India. Two of the five districts included in the study are urban districts where a considerable number of Nat families rely on sex work. Conversely, the other three districts are rural, predominantly inhabited by Nat families engaged in agricultural and construction labor, with no ties to sex work. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Findings indicate distinct settlement patterns within the Nat community, with significant variations in influencing factors across different districts.