Last Nomads of India

Producer: Asha Stuart
Director: Asha Stuart
The Nomadic Gypsies of India live a life of constantly questioning and searching for the unknown. Originating from the Northern Indian state of Rajasthan, the Gypsies cross the nation and transcend international borders on a lifelong quest for new beginnings and prosperity. In all of India there about 1 million nomadic tribal people including the Gypsy clan consisting of fewer than 60,000 members. Today, the community consist of the Bopa and Kalbeliya tribes — two of last remaining Gypsy clans. The Bopa are mostly musicians, while the Kalbeliya are snake charmers and dancers.

Every few months members settle into a new home typically moving up to four times each year. Due to government land rights, most Gypsies travel to subsidized land designated for tribal communities when they relocate to a new village. Over the past decades because of rising temperatures and financial instability many tribal members have transitioned into semi-nomadic lifestyle or opt to plant permanent roots.

This short video captures a rare inside look into the lives of some of the last Nomadic people in the world.

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