Mer (community)

2022-05-15T14:35:16Z

2405:205:C802:6CC1:4004:787:1FCF:545:

{{short description |Ethnic group of Gujarat, India}}
{{redirect|Mer people |the legendary water-dwelling beings|Merfolk}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Mer
| native_name = મેર, મહેર
| native_name_lang = gu
| languages = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]]
| related_groups = [[Gujarati people]]
| image = Mer Dandiya.jpg
| regions = [[Porbandar district]], [[Junagadh district]], [[Devbhumi Dwarka district]], [[Jamnagar district]], [[Europe]]
| image_caption = Mer Rās(Maniyaro)
| population = 250,000 (1980)
}}

'''Mer''', '''Maher''' or '''Mehar''' ([[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]: [[ISO 15919]]: ''Mēr, Mahēr'', ''Mēhar'' [[Sanskrit]]: मेर, महेर, मेहर; [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]: મેર, મહેર, મેહર; [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: mer, məher, mehər) is a [[kshatriya]] [[jāti]] from the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra region]] of [[Gujarat]] in [[India]].{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=1, 14, 40}}<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last1=Fischer |first1=Eberhard |title=Rural craftsmen and their work: Equipment and techniques in the Mer village of Ratadi, in Saurashtra India |last2=Shah |first2=Haku |publisher=National Institute of Design |year=1970 |location=Paldi, Ahmedabad |pages=118 |language=en}}</ref> They are largely based in the [[Porbandar district]], comprising the low-lying, wetland ''Ghēḍ'' and highland ''Barḍā'' areas, and they speak a dialect of the [[Gujarati language]].<ref name="FrancoMacwan2004">{{Cite book|last1=Franco|first1=Fernando|title=Journeys to Freedom: Dalit Narratives|last2=Macwan|first2=Jyotsna|last3=Ramanathan|first3=Suguna |publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2004|isbn=978-81-85604-65-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bzj1pyBKZzsC&pg=PA242 |pages=242– |access-date=6 April 2013}}</ref>{{Snf|Trivedi|1986|p=viii}}{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=1-3}} The Mers of the ''[[Madhavpur Ghed|Ghēḍ]] and [[Barda Wildlife Sanctuary|Barḍā]]'' form two groups of the ''jāti'' and together they are the main cultivators in the Porbandar District.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=100-103}} Historically, the men served the [[Porbandar State]] as a feudal militia, led by Mer leaders.{{Snf|Maddock|1993|p=104}}{{Sfn|Campbell|1881|p=138}} In the 1881 Gazette of the Bombay Presidency, the Mers were recorded numbering at 23,850.{{Sfn|Campbell|1881|p=139}} The 1951 Indian Census recorded 50,000 Mers.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=1}} As of 1980 there were estimated to be around 250,000 Mers.{{Snf|Trivedi|1999|p=9}}

== Origin ==
Mers of other [[Mer people#Clans|lineages]] consider the ''Kēshwaḷā'' as the earliest lineage citing the proverb'': Ādya Mēr Kēshwaḷā, jēni suraj purē chē śakh'' - "the sun stands testimony to the fact that ''Kēshwaḷās'' are the original Mers." {{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=106}} An [[origin myth]] of the ''Kēshwaḷās'' descending from the neck hair of [[Rama]] was recorded by colonial authors.{{Sfn|Campbell|1881|p=138}} However, possibly the oldest reference to ''Kēshwaḷās'' indicates that the founder of this lineage may have lived over a thousand years ago, although, this relies on the genealogies of Barots which are not considered completely accurate as they are projected back in time to pseudo-history.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=107-108}}

Mers were once associated with the [[Maitraka dynasty]].<ref name="FrancoMacwan2004" /><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Odedra |first=N. K. |year=2009 |title=Ethnobotany of Maher tribe in Porbandar district, Gujarat, India |publisher=[[Saurashtra University]] |page=87 |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/11821969.pdf |degree=PhD}}</ref> Sinha suggests that the word Maitraka is an adaption from Mihir, which is in turn an adaption from Mer and does not rule out the possibility that the ruling families of the Maitrakas originated from the Mers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sinha |first=Nandini |date=August 1, 2001 |title=Early Maitrakas, Landgrant Charters and Regional State Formation in Early Medieval Gujarat |journal=[[Studies in History]] |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=153–154 |doi=10.1177/025764300101700201 |s2cid=162126329}}</ref>

== History ==
A Mer dynasty existed in Eastern Saurashtra, as noted by an inscription from discovered in Timana in 1207 CE. The ruler Jagamal was a vassal of [[Bhima II]] of the [[Chaulukya dynasty|Chaulukyas]]. A further inscription from [[Mahuva, Bhavnagar|Mahuva]], dated to 1215 CE mentions a Mer king named Ranasimha, proposed to be a successor of Jagamal, in the same area.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Diskalkar |first=D B |date=1941 |title=Inscriptions of Kathiawad |url= |journal=New Indian Antiquary |volume=1 |pages=580 |quote="The Mahuva inscription of v.s. 1272 speaks of a Mehara king ruling at Timbanaka. He was probably a successor of the Mehar king Jagaraal, a feudatory of the Caulukya sovereign Bhima II mentioned in the copperplate grant of v.s. 1264 found at Timana and published in the Indian Antiquary Vol. XI p. 337. Another Meher family is mentioned in the Hataspi inscription of v.s. 1386. In modem times the Mehers are found chiefly in the Porbunder State and not in the part of Kathiawad where the abovementioned inscriptions were found." |via=Archiv.org}}</ref> The Hatasni inscription from 1328 describes the construction of a stepwell by Kuntaraja for the Mer ruler Thepak, who wanted to built a stepwell in his own name as his maternal ancestor Khengar had done. Thepak of the Vakhala family was the son of Rupa, the daughter of [[Mandalika I|Mandalik I]] had been appointed to rule over [[Talaja, Bhavnagar|Talaja]] by a [[Chudasama dynasty|Chudasama]] ruler named Mahisa.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Diskalkar |first=D.B |title=Inscriptions of Kathiawad (No. 27) |year=1938–1941 |location=Pune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sheikh |first=Samira |date=2008 |title=Alliance, Genealogy and Political Power |journal=The Medieval History Journal |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=36 |doi=10.1177/097194580701100102 |s2cid=154992468 |via=SAGE}}</ref> The Sīsodiyā branch of Mers was formed when the [[Sisodia]] Hati Rajputs came from [[Mewar]] in [[Rajasthan]] to Saurashtra as mercenary warriors and settled at Malia Hatina (Malia of the Hatis) and intermarried with the local Ahirs and Mers.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Shah |first1=A. M. |title=Division and hierarchy : an overview of caste in Gujarat |last2=Desai |first2=I. P. |publisher=South Asia Books |year=1988 |isbn=978-8170750086 |pages=60 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Young India - Mer Keshav Bhagat.png|thumb|Gramophone recording of 'Kanudane Kahi Kahi Thaaki' from 1937, written by Kavi Pingalshi and sung by Mer Keshav Bhagat]]Mers were the dominant agricultural jati in the Jethwa-ruled kingdom around Barda.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Tambs-Lyche |first=Harald |title=Power, Profit and Poetry Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India |publisher=Manohar |year=1997 |isbn=81-7304-176-8 |location=New Delhi |pages=160–161}}</ref> Mers did not pay rent on their land, only paying a [[hearth tax]] and if they cultivated, a plough tax in addition to ''sukhḍi'' ([[Quit-rent|quit rent]]) on villages assigned to them.{{Sfn|Campbell|1881|p=138}} They would coronate the Jethwa ruler by placing a tilak upon his head.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cousens |first=Henry |title=Somanatha and Other Mediaeval Temples in Kathiawad |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |year=1998 |pages=3 |language=en}}</ref> Resultantly, Mers along with [[Kathi people|Kathis]] and [[Rajput]]s were considered to be '[[Darbar (title)|Darbars]]'.<ref name=":03"/> Historically, highland Mers, also known as ''Bhōmiyā'' (landed) held more political power than lowland Mers with the latter being restricted from buying land from ''Bhōmiyās'' between 1884 and 1947.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=101}} The kin of those slain in action were paid 100 rupees (£10) by the Rana during the late 1800s.{{Sfn|Campbell|1881|p=138}} On the 28th April 1895, the [[Bharwad]]s of Jamkhirasara (near [[Bhanvad]]) organised a [[collective wedding]] which was attended by 12,000 people, including large numbers of Mers and the [[Jam Sahib]]. Reportedly "places of honour" were reserved for them at the wedding feast and they were "held in most respect"<ref name=":62">{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=James M. |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency Volume 11 Part 1. Gujarat Population: Hindus |publisher=Government Central Press |year=1901 |location=Bombay |pages=275 |language=en}}</ref> Keshav Bhagat who hailed from Dhandhusar became a radio star in the 1930s, singing traditional Gujarati [[bhajan]]s, dohas and sorthas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1937-12-01 |title=Gujrathi and Hindustani records |url=https://eap.bl.uk/item/EAP190-1-1-11-6# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://eap.bl.uk/item/EAP190-1-1-11-6 |archive-date=2022-04-04 |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=British Library Endangered Archives Programme}}</ref>[[File:કાનુડાને કહી કહી થાકી. મેર કેશવ ભગત.ogg|thumb|Kanudane Kahi Kahi Thaaki sung by Mer Keshav Bhagat]]In the 1970s Sarman Munja Jadeja rose to prominence after killing gangsters Devu and Karsan Vagher who had been hired by [[Nanji Kalidas Mehta]] to break the strike at the Maharana Mills.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Pandya |first=Haresh|date=24 May 2006|title=Bapu's children swear by guns|work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/bapu-s-children-swear-by-guns/story-SwlSFW7CFIM7TdjN9zPx2I.html |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> As the leader of organised crime in Porbandar he ran a parallel system of justice and was hailed by many Mers as a Robin Hood-like figure.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Menon |first=Aditya|date=9 December 2017|title=Gangs of Porbandar: How Gujarat polls are the latest act in old mafia rivalries|work=Catch News|url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/gangs-of-porbandar-how-gujarat-polls-are-the-latest-act-in-old-mafia-rivalries-92047.html|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> After killing 47 people, he renounced violence having been influenced by the [[Swadhyaya Movement|Swadhyay Movement]].<ref name=":2" /> In 1986 he was murdered by a rival gang resulting in [[Santokben Jadeja]] taking over her husbands gang and killing 30 people to take revenge.<ref name=":2" /> By the 1990s her gang was wanted in 500 cases and she in 9. Shantokben died in 2011, following which a rival ganglord, Bhima Dula Odedara became dominant in local crime and politics.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dave|first=Hiral|date=2 April 2011 |title=Porbandar mourns its Godmother|work=The Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/porbandar-mourns-its-godmother/770612/2|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> Odedara took control of the profitable limestone, chalk and bauxite mines; he was given double life imprisonment by the Gujarat High Court for double murder in 2017.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 October 2017|title=HC gives Bhima Dula life for double murder|work=Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/hc-gives-bhima-dula-life-for-double-murder/articleshow/61073662.cms |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref>

=== Mers in politics ===
Mers have dominated the politics of the [[Kutiyana (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Kutiyana Vidhan Sabha]], the [[Porbandar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Porbandar Vidhan Sabha]] and the [[Porbandar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Porbandar Lok Sabha]] seats. [[File:Porbandar in Gujarat (India).svg|right|thumb|[[Porbandar district|Porbandar District]], Gujarat]]The first Mer to become the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] for Kutiyana was [[Indian National Congress]] member Maldevji Odedra in 1962; who also became the [[Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee|Gujarat Congress President]]. 1980 saw Congress candidate Vijaydasji Mahant elected and he retained his seat in 1985. Mahant also became the Gujarat Congress President.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=4 March 2011|title=Congman who bucks the wave|work=The Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/congman-who-bucks-the-wave/757720/|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> In 1990 Santokben Jadeja won the Kutiyana assembly seat as a [[Janata Dal]] candidate. In 1995 her brother-in-law Bhura Munja Jadeja became the MLA for Kutiyana contesting as an [[Independent politician|independent]]. After the Jadejas, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] candidate Karsan Dula Odedara held the Kutiyana seat winning in 1999, [[2002 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|2002]] and [[2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|2007]]. Since [[2012 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|2012]] it has been held by [[Kandhal Jadeja]] a [[Nationalist Congress Party]] MLA and son of Santokben, who won again in [[2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|2017]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Porbandar (Gujarat) Assembly Constituency Elections|url=https://www.elections.in/gujarat/assembly-constituencies/porbandar.html|date=27 March 2020|website=Elections.in|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref>

Maldevji Odedra was elected from the Porbandar Vidhan Sabha seat in 1972 as an INC candidate. In 1985, Laxmanbhai Agath (INC) was elected. [[Babubhai Bokhiria]] (BJP) held the seat in 1995 and 1998, losing to Congress candidate Arjunbhai Modhwadiya in 2002. Modhwadiya maintained his seat in 2007 and became the Gujarat Congress President, but lost to Babubhai Bokhiria, who currently is the MLA for Porbandar, in 2012 and 2017.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

Maldevji Odedra held the Porbandar Lok Sabha seat in 1980 on behalf of INC. His son, Bharatbhai Odedra (INC) was elected in 1984 from Porbandar to the Lok Sabha.

== Clans ==
The community is endogamous, that is, marriages take place within the community, but exogamous with respect to clan. That is the bride and groom belong to different clans ([[gotra]]) known as ''Bhāyāt.'' Genealogies of Mer families are maintained by [[Barot (caste)|Barots]] through name recording ceremonies.{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|p=60}} Patel or headmen is a hereditary title held by family elders who take part in all religious and secular functions.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=4}} Generally every Mer village is dominated by one of the clans, however, other clans move in as ''gharjemai'' (men who live in the houses of their fathers'-in-law when their fathers-in-law have no heir). They are often followed by other relatives.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=6}} Mers consist of 14 clans called ''Śakh'' which are further split into segments called ''Pankhī'':<ref name="FrancoMacwan2004"/>{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=100, 111}}
{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
# Bhaṭṭi
# Chauhāṇ
# Chavḍa
# Chūḍāsamā
# Jāḍējā
# Kēshwaḷā
# Ōḍēdarā
# Parmār
# Rājshākhā
# Sīsodiyā
# Sōlaṁkī
# Vāḍhēr
# Vaghēlā
# Vāḷā}}

==Society and culture==

=== Lifestyle ===
A 1980 study of the Mers estimated that: an average Mer household contains 6 people, 35% were literate, 95% of households owned their homes and 77% of household members were employed. 77% of those employed worked in the agricultural sector.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|pp=20-38}} Mers grow [[pearl millet]] ''(Bājarō),'' [[sorghum]] ''(Jōwār) and'' [[Panicum|fodder]] as staple crops, along with [[wheat]] where possible. [[Cotton]] and [[peanut]]s are grown as cash-crops, while vegetables include [[Chili pepper|chillies]], [[clover]], [[Eggplant|aubergines]], [[tomato]]es, [[turnip]]s. Rarely [[sugarcane]], [[Castor oil|castor]] and [[Legume|pulses]] are grown as well. Owing to their consumption of dairy products, [[cattle]] and [[water buffalo]]es are bred. Prosperous Mers own [[Kathiawari horse|horses]].{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=6}} Small scale plant-based industries are run by Mers, including bio-diesel production from the ''Mōgali āranḍ ([[Jatropha curcas|Jatropha curcus L]]),'' herbal shampoo from [[Aloe vera|Aloe]] and [[Peanut oil|ground nut]], [[Sesame oil|sesame]] and [[Castor oil|castor]] oil extracting mills.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=6}} Poorer Mers without lands to their name, undertake quarrying, cutting and stone-working.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=25}}

Mers are mostly vegetarian, with [[pearl millet]] ''(Bājarō''), [[sorghum]] (''Jōwār'') and [[wheat]] [[roti]]s being consumed with vegetables, chillis and [[curd]]s.{{Sfn|Campbell|1881|p=139}} During weddings jaggery, ghee, ''lāpsi'' and [[khichdi]] is served.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=83}} As of 1976, it has been reported that vices are common amongst Mers with around 30% consuming alcohol despite the [[Alcohol prohibition in India|prohibition in Gujarat]].{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=83}}[[File:Rudhiben.max-1400x1120_6vziAUo.jpg|right|thumb|Mer woman with traditional tattoos and earrings known as 'vedhla'.]]
Historically, Mers were wedded through [[Arranged marriage in the Indian subcontinent|arranged marriages]], which were agreed between the parents of two new-borns. However, a girl married as a child would only be sent to live with her husband's family after achieving maturity.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=71}} [[Cousin marriage|Cross-cousin marriage]] was common, while [[polygamous marriage]]s were rare, only being permitted if a man was unable to have children with his first wife.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=71}} The women of this community do not observe [[Purdah|female seclusion norms]], widow remarriage was not prohibited and menstruation seclusion taboos are not followed.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=60}}{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=120}} [[Dowry system in India|Dowry]] operates largely in the favour of women.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=71}} Differing from typical [[Hindu wedding]]s, the ''Khaṁḍūṁ'' ceremony involves a sword being wed as a proxy for the groom. Grooms wear a ''jūmaṇuṁ'' made of twenty [[Tola (unit)|tolas]] of gold which has either been passed down or borrowed from relatives.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=80}} Modern transport and equipment such as orchestra troupes are employed.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=80}} [[Dates (fruit)|Dates]] would be distributed in a custome called ''Lāṇ,'' to fellow villagers to celebrate a wedding or the birth of a son.{{sfn|Trivedi|1961|p={{page needed|date=November 2021}}}} Wedding processions are taken out in a ''gāḍū'', a traditional bullock cart which transports women from the bridegrooms's side to the bride's home in the ''jān''.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=17}}

Mers are considered part of the ''Kānṭio Varna'' or haughty groups that included other tribes such as Rajputs and Ahirs.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=183}} The ''Tēr Tāṁsḷī'' (13 bell-metal bowls) a group of thirteen communities that dine together but do not intermarry, includes the Mers.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|pp=184-185}} ''Vasvāyā'' - crafstmen, merchants and the barber are considered to be ''rūp'' or the beauty of the village by Mers.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=6}} Mers and [[Rabari]]s maintained a symbiotic relationship with every Mer-majority village having Rabari families, who would manage the village herd and sell dairy products from their own animals.<ref name=":03"/> In 1993 the [[Mandal Commission]] classified the Mers as an [[Other Backward Class]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 September 1993 |title=Central List of OBCs |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuo5Ww%2fEcQPqeqoATXAB7p%2fQEBF7wOoZVUZeNdA4Fs5xoHN3KPmF8ST |access-date=22 May 2020 |website=National Commission for Backward Classes}}</ref>

Mer men used to wear umbrella shaped gold [[earring]]s called ''Śiṁśorīya''; while Mer women wore bead shaped ''Vedla''. Men also wore [[Japamala|malas]] with alternating red and gold coral beads.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=114-115}} Mer women also tattooed large parts of their body including the neck, arms and legs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-16 |title=Shinshoria – a traditional ear ornament |url=https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/shinshoria-traditional-ear-ornament/ |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=People's Archive of Rural India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-16 |title=Vedla – earrings of the Maher community |url=https://ruralindiaonline.org/articles/vedla-earrings-of-the-maher-community/ |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=People's Archive of Rural India}}</ref> Mer women were usually tattooed when they were about seven or eight years old. The hands and feet are marked first and then the neck and chest. It is customary for a girl to be tattooed before marriage.<ref name="India: Land of Eternal Ink">{{cite web |last1=Krutak |first1=Lars |title=India: Land of Eternal Ink |url=http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/india_tattoo_history_3.htm}}</ref> A Mer proverb states 'We may be deprived of all things of this world but nobody has the power to remove the tattoo marks".<ref>{{cite book |title=TRAVELS THROUGH GUJARAT, DAMAN, AND DIU. |date=22 February 2019 |isbn=9780244407988}}</ref> Mer tattoo motifs have a close relation to secular and religious subjects of devotion. Designs include holy men, feet of Rama or Lakshmi, women carrying water in pitchers on their head, [[Shravan]] carrying his parents on a lath (kāvad) to centers of pilgrimage, and popular gods like Rama, Krishna and Hanuman are also depicted. The lion, tiger, horse, camel, peacock, scorpion, bee and fly are other favorites.<ref name="India: Land of Eternal Ink"/> ''Mēr nō Rās'' (Dance of the Mer) a unique form of [[Dandiya Raas|dandiya raas]] is performed. The performance includes liberal dusting of [[Gulal]] ([[Vermilion|vermillion]]) on the bodies and costumes of the dancers.<ref name="Sharma20072">{{cite book |first=Manorma |last=Sharma |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nuWBch2jTqAC&pg=PA60 |title=Musical Heritage Of India |date=1 January 2007 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0046-6 |page=60 |access-date=6 April 2013}}</ref> The practice of the dance is noted by colonial authors, where they describe its performance with both the stick and sword variation, during a [[collective wedding]] or ''"Bharwad Jang''" of the [[Bharwad]]s of Jamkhirasara near [[Bhanvad]].<ref name=":62"/> Mers keep a variety of weapons including battleaxes, swords, lances, guns and shields. In particular the battleaxe is used as an purpose instrument and is seen as an emblem of manhood.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=108-109}}

== Religion ==

=== Beliefs and practices ===
Mers are [[Hindus]] and practise a variety of religious traditions ranging from [[Folk Hinduism]] to [[Yoga|Yogic]] and [[Bhakti movement|Bhakti]] practises. In addition, each lineage also has a lineage deity or [[Kuladevata|Kuldevi]], referred to as ''Āī (grandmother)'' who is worshipped by lighting a lamp in front of the [[murti]].{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|pp=173-175}} While Mers worship all gods of the [[Hindu deities|Hindu pantheon]], devotion to [[Ramdev Pir|Ramdevji]] and [[Vachharadada]] is a unique hallmark of Mer religious belief. Mer men and women maintain complete freedom in choosing [[panth]] or [[sampradaya]] and no member of a family forces another to follow their denomination.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=163}} Mer men are expected to have a [[guru]] to provide personal religious advice; those without one are disparagingly called ''nagūrū'' (without a guru)''.''{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=163-164}}

The worship of Ramdev Pir is also formalised through a [[panth]] focusing on the worship of ''[[Agni|jyot]]'' and the secret ''Pāt'' ceremony is organised, breaking all caste and societal barriers.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=158}} The Mers of ''Ghēḍ'' organise the ''[[Mandapa|Manḍap]]'' ceremony with [[Kolis]] and bring entire villages together in worship.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=63}} Bhakti tradition is practised through the singing of [[bhajan]]s about the [[Hindu epics]]; [[jiva]]; [[brahman]]; [[Jnana yoga|jnana]]; [[sannyasa]]; [[bhakti]] and [[moksha]].{{Sfn|Trivedi|1999|p=71}}{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|p=153}} [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaivism]] and [[Shaktism]] are found amongst the Mers, with every village containing a temple to [[Shiva]], [[Rama]], and various forms of [[Devi]]. Amidst the worshippers of Devi, the presence of a small minority of secret [[Vamachara]] practitioners has also been noted; they are reputed to worship [[Kali]] with meat and alcohol.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=158}} Within the Bhakti tradition the [[Pranami Sampraday]] is prevalent and devotees worship [[Krishna]] as [[Gopi]]s.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=157-158, 160}} The [[Kabir panth]] also has a small following, functioning in open ceremonies under the guidance of a [[mahant]].{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=161}} Some Mers follow [[Pir (Sufism)|Pirs]] based on individual experiences.{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|p=162}} Typical forms of Hindu worship such as [[aarti]] are common. [[Sati (practice)|Satis]] of the [[Charan]] ''jāti'' including [[Khodiyar]] are highly revered.{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|p=155}}{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|p=175}} When praying to Kuldevis, Satis or Vachhara Dada, the services of a ''bhuvā'' ([[Shamanism|shaman]]) are employed''.''{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=175}} Around marriage the goddess [[Saranyu|Randal]] is worshipped for fertility, while [[Brahmin]]s are invited to recite the [[Satyanarayan Puja|Satyanarayan]] [[Katha (storytelling format)|Katha]] to pray for relief from difficult times.

Mers commission three types of [[Paliya]]s to venerate their ancestors. The first type is for ''surāpurā'' (lit. perfect brave, referring to warriors); the second for ''surdhan'' for ancestors who have died an unnatural death and finally for [[Sati (practice)|satis]]. They are venerated with [[sindoor]] by Mer descendants on [[Diwali]].{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|p=177}}{{Snf|Maddock|1993|pp=108-110}} One occasion on which [[Paliya]]s are venerated, is weddings, where permission for marriage is taken from ancestors. In addition consent is also taken from [[Vachharadada]].{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=43-45}}

=== Festivals and pilgrimages ===
[[Melā|Melas]] are fairs organised on religious occasions but also have secular aspects. The largest fair of the Mer region is the Madhavpur Mela. The Mer community annually celebrates 'Rukmini no Choro', at the beautiful Madhavrai Temple. It is believed that [[Krishna]] married [[Rukmini]] in Madhavpur.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Desai |first1=Anjali H. |title=India Guide Gujarat |date=2007 |isbn=978-0978951702}}</ref> Mers also attend regional fairs such as the [[Maha Shivaratri|Maha Shivratri]] Mela in [[Bhavnath]], [[Junagadh]] and the mela at the Bileshwar Mahadev Temple in the Barda Hills.{{Sfn|Trivedi|1961|pp=183-188}} On [[Nirjala Ekadashi|Bhim Agyaras]] other fairs are organised in [[Odadar]] and Visavada in the highland and Balej in the low-land.{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|p=187}} [[Momai|Momai Mata]] is venerated by Mers and Rabaris and the favour of the goddess is sought for the protection of cattle and for a good monsoon.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Tambs-Lyche |first=Harald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ntuAAAAMAAJ |title=Power, Profit and Poetry Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India |publisher=Manohar |year=1997 |isbn=81-7304-176-8 |location=New Delhi |pages=160–161 |language=en}}</ref> Mers go on pilgrimage to [[Dwarka]]. Another common pilgrimage is to [[Girnar|Mount Girnar]].{{Snf|Trivedi|1961|pp=156-157}}

Celebrations of Holi begin after the lighting of the Rabari Holi at Kanmera Nes in the Barda Hills is spotted in the plains villages. The Rabaris act as an intermediary to sacred powers by inviting the spirits of Puranic and Vedic figures to their Holi.<ref name=":0" />

==Diaspora==
Mers started migrating to the British colonies in [[East Africa]] during early parts of 20th century. The businessman, [[Nanji Kalidas Mehta]] was instrumental in helping them to migrate to Africa. Many of the early migrants were from the highlands villages.{{sfn|Trivedi|1986|p=21}} Following the [[expulsion of Asians from Uganda]] many Mers settled in Britain and other Western countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Joshi|first=Swati|date=2 December 2000 |title='Godmother': Contesting Communal Politics in Drought Land|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=35|issue=49|pages=4304–4306}}</ref>

== Notable people ==

=== Science ===

* [[Kamlesh Khunti|Kamlesh Khunti CBE]] - director of the [[National Institute for Health Research]] (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands and globally recognised diabetes expert.{{Sfn|Fischer|Shah|1970|p=4}}

=== Sports ===

* [[Sonia Odedra]] - English female Cricketer
* [[Jayesh Odedra]] - Indian Cricketer
* [[Jay Odedra]] - Omani cricketer
* [[Prem Sisodiya]] -Welsh Cricketer

=== Politics ===

* [[Babubhai Bokhiria]] - Gujarat Cabinet Minister for Water Resources (except Kalpsar project), Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Cow protection<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Gangs of Porbandar: How Gujarat polls are the latest act in old mafia rivalries |url=http://www.catchnews.com/politics-news/gangs-of-porbandar-how-gujarat-polls-are-the-latest-act-in-old-mafia-rivalries-92047.html |access-date=2020-05-19 |website=CatchNews.com}}</ref>
* [[Arjun Modhwadia]] - Indian politician<ref name=":12" />
* [[Santokben Jadeja]] - Indian politician <ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Rajesh |date=8 March 1999 |title=Santokben, Godmother |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/santokben-godmother/207083 |access-date=19 May 2020 |website=Outlook India}}</ref>
* [[Kandhal Jadeja]] - Son of Santokben and member of Gujarat legislative assembly <ref name=":12" />

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Sources ===
*{{Cite book|last=Campbell|first=James, M|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency|publisher=Government Central Press |year=1881|series=Vol. 8: Kathiawar|location=Bombay |url=https://archive.org/details/1884GazetteerByBombayPresidencyVol8Kathiawar349D/mode/2up}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Maddock|first=P|title=Idolatry in western Saurasthra: A case study of social change and proto‐modern revolution in art|journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies|publisher=Journal of South Asian Studies|year=1993|volume=16|pages=101–126|doi=10.1080/00856409308723194}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Trivedi|first=Harshad, R|title=A Study of the Mers of Saurashtra: An exposition of their social structure and organization|journal=University|publisher=Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda |year=1961 |location=Vadodara|hdl=10603/59823|oclc=551698930 |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/59823}}
*{{Cite book|last=Trivedi|first=Harshad, R|title=The Mers of Saurashtra revisited and studied in the light of socio-cultural change and cross-cousin marriage|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year=1986 |isbn=9788170220442 |location=Delhi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ecWYqLcfYrIC&q=porbandar+maher+people&pg=PR7}}
*{{Cite book|last=Trivedi|first=Harshad, R|title=The Mers of Saurashtra : A profile of social, economic, and political status|publisher=Devika Publications|year=1999|isbn=9788186557204|location=Delhi}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|http://www.maheronline.org/}}
{{commons category}}
{{Social groups of Gujarat}}{{Gujarat}}

[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]

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Mer (community)