Gaddi is Himachal’s nomad caste, a male is called Gaddi(spelled Gh–dh–ii) whereas female a Gaddan (spelled Gh-dh-n).
Gaddis carry a rich culture of Himachal with their own traditional clothing which is mainly made of sheep wool, as they live usually in higher altitude areas and lot of silver jewelry.
Male Gaddis wear a coat made of pure wool and tie a black rope made of wool around waist. Himachali cap sits atop head always.
Gaddan wears a traditional gown again made of pure wool and lot of jewelry usually made of silver, there is a myth that Gaddis put iron on sheep’s foot and when they travel to higher altitudes with the sheeps it turns out to silver, so thats why gaddans usually has a lot of silver.
An IT professional for 17 years, based in the US since the last 12 years. Founded NGO My Himachal and then Himachal Media Pvt. Ltd.. A Himachali forever. Always trying to bring together people whose hearts beat for the state.
Love you!
Nice pic but a younger version would have been better.
Regards
Dear Mr. Samkaria,
If you have any fresh photographs then please do send to me and I’ll upload them, from US its kind of hard to get snaps, I just upload what I find on web.
Thanks,
Avnish.