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India: find Raika, the camel keeper
India: finding Raika, the camel keeper – (French 2)
The France 2 team traveled to the desert of Rajasthan to meet the Raika community. The latter is a camel breeder, who can be recognized by his red turban. Unfortunately, livestock is becoming increasingly scarce due to forced modernization.
In the arid plains of northwestern India, the Raikas have mastered the subtle art of speaking to camels, using highly recognizable sounds with their tongues. Each sound has a very specific purpose: to make the animal move forward or slow it down, as shown by Magan, a breeder who demonstrated it to the France 2 cameras. In addition, when the man whistles, it allows him to reassure the animal. camel. For centuries, in India, the Raikas were the only ones who had the privilege of keeping these animals. “Kami, Raika, was born from the god Shiva. Camels were also born from the god Shiva. This is why they and we were created to live together“, added Magan.
Relationships involved
Camels and humans live in a close relationship, like children and their parents. Magan provided extensive care to a two-week-old baby camel. “He must think that I am like his father, so that when he grows up, he will love me and trust me“, he explained. The Raika caste has 500,000 individuals who can be recognized by their red turbans. Unfortunately, all these traditions and ways of life are threatened today due to rapid urbanization and intensive agriculture. The camel's habitat is gradually being eaten away, leaving the Raika very disappointed to be without pasture , these animals have to go further and further to find food.
