History of Kansara

History of Kansara

The Kansaras are the people who make BElls from "kansan" (bell metal). The name is thus derived from kansu. Their mythical history says that they were of Kshatriya origin and that their ancestor, a king, drifted away at the time of Lord Parashuram's extermination of all Kshatsriyas and in course of time his sons took to selling utensils to hide their Kshatriya identity. Thereafter making and selling utensils became their caste occupation. Their jati purana, called Kalikapurana so named after their deity Kalika vouchsafes this legendary story. The group among the Kansaras are Gohilwad Kansara, Gujarati Kansara, Maru Kansara, Bisnagari Kansara, Soratia Kansara and Jamnagari Kansara etc., based on territory (Ghol) further divided into marriage circles and thad (neighbourhood) divisions. The gujarati Kansaras are spread over Wadhwan, Surendra Nagar, Rajkot, Dhrangadra, Bhavnagar etc. They sepak Kathiawadi dialect and use Gujarati script. From traditional point of view every Kansara is supposed to wear "Tulsi Kanthi" ( a necklace made of small covered pieces of basil wood).

The Kansaras are vegetarian in dietary habits. Bajra, jowar and rice are the staple cereals consumed. All available varieties of pulses along with seasonal vegetables are used. Groundnt oil is the cooking medium. Milk is regularly taken by a majority of the Kansaras in their supper. Milk-products such as curd and butter milk are also consumed. Eating of fruits is occasional. Some Kansaras do take liquor buy by and large the Kansaras are teetotalers. Those who drink wine purchase it from those who engaged in clandestine business of selling wine. Smoking of bidi is common and chewing of betel leaves with areca nuts too is common. The Kansaras have many identifies with reference to their broader group (Community), ghol thad and atak. The groups among the Kansaras are hierarchical. The group differs in different parts as far as marriage ceremonies and death rituals are concerned. Occupational differences exist between the different groups. These ties are prohibited with any other community. Though his restriction is getting liberalized in case of marriage between different marriage circles i.e. ghols.

Literacy and education is high among the kansara. Use of modern allopathic medicines are preferred. Family-planning practices are yet to gain popularity among them. They manage to secure government loans form different economic activities, which make it possible for them to get self-employed by establishing their own workshops. Public distribution system is utilised and also banking.

(Source: http://books.google.co.in) (http://www.kansaratimes.com)