.jpg) Singhtu dance by Hatti people | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Mahasu region, concentrated in its sub-regions of Jaunsar-Bawar, Uttarakhand and Trans-Giri of Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh | |
| Languages | |
| Sirmauri, Pahari, minority Hindi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Jaunsaris |
Hatti or Hattee are a Pahari-speaking socio-cultural community found in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.[1] They are an isolated community concentrated particularly in Trans-Giri region in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh and adjacent region of Jaunsar-Bawar in Uttrakhand. They are famous for their distinct market places (known as Hatts) and known for faternal polyandry practice.[2]
They are currently recognized as Schedule Tribe community in Himachal Pradesh.[3]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The isolated people of Trans-Giri region are famous for their traditional markets setup in the distinct styles known as Hatts from which the community is called to the Hattis (or Hattee), deriving from the word Hatt.
Geographic distribution[edit | edit source]
The Hattis are sub-divided into two groups: Giri Paar Hattis and Jaunsar Hattis, of whom the 'Giri Paars' inhabitates the region of Trans-Giri (known as Giri Paar in Western Pahari) and 'Jaunsar Hatti' in region of Jaunsar-Bawar. They use to set up their markets (or Hatt) in their regions, often adjacent places of Dehradun, Shimla and Solan leading to small population being settled in these places.[4]
Culture[edit | edit source]
They have inhabited the regions of Trans-Giri and have remained insolated due to the geographical barriers of high mountain ranges. The Hatts setup by them for trade is unique part of their culture and due to dependence on agriculture and animal husbandry, their trade is mostly related to plants and animal products. They are known for their tribal lifestyle, similar to the culture of the Jaunsaris and have prominence of traditional governing system called Khumbli (community councils) with strong customary laws on marriage, property and dispute.[5] They have many practices distinct from the neighbouring communities and unique form of mask dance called as Sinhtoo or Singhtu, where they dance portraying them as Lions.[6] They also follows practice of polyandry, though which is rare called "Jodidara".[7]
Hattis have been culturally Hindus and worship Mahasu Devta, similar to other communities of Mahasu region. During the time of Sirmur State, they were introduced with traditional Hinduism and developed reverence of kuldevis and with time the priest caste emerged in the community called Bhat.[8] They have caste system among them with upper castes (Bhatts and Khasas) and lower castes (Badhoi).[9]
Scheduled Tribe status[edit | edit source]
Hattis from long have argued that they were similar to the Jaunsaris of Uttarakhand with similar culture and practices, and asked the Government to include them in the Scheduled Tribe category similar to Jaunsaris in Uttrakhand and Uttar Pradesh.[10] They have insisted the government that their distinct culture and lifestyle qualifies the criteria of them being a Tribe, alongside they inhabit the remote areas of the Trans-Giri (Mahasu region) and Jaunsar-Bawar and their similar comunities in the Jaunsar-Bawar region have been granted as Scheduled Tribe.[11] Though, their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list was met by opposition from other tribal communities due to their high landholding and better lifestyle and socio-economic conditions. The opposition was supported by the Scheduled castes community of Trans-Giri region arguing to grant of ST status to the upper castes within the community, which would provide them immunity from atrocity laws.[12]
In 2023, the Government of India recognized the "Hattee in Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district" as Scheduled Tribes through The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fouth Amendment) Act, 2022 after approval from Rajya Sabha.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Pradesh (India), Himachal (1964). Administration Report of the Himachal Pradesh Administration. Director of Public Relations and Tourism.
- ↑ "One bride, two grooms: The story of Himachal's Hattis and the tradition of polyandry". The Indian Express. 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "THE CONSTITUTION (SCHEDULED TRIBES) ORDER (FOURTH AMENDMENT) ACT, 2022" (PDF). India.gov.in. Delhi: Controller of Publisher, India. 4 August 2023. p. 23.
- ↑ Thakur, Ratika; Bharadwaj, Arun; Sinha, Anil Kishore (12 February 2024). "From a Community to a 'Scheduled Tribe': A Ethnographic Study of the Hatti". Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India. 74 (1). doi:10.1177/2277436X241292690.
- ↑ Verma, Sarita; Sharma, Anurag (2020-06-01). "Folk customs and traditions prevalent in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh: a case study". Journal of Traditional and Folk Practices. doi:10.25173/jtfp.132. ISSN 2278-5906.
- ↑ "In a first, ancient folk dance 'Sinhtoo' to be performed at R-Day parade in Delhi". The Indian Express. 2025-01-24. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
- ↑ Parmar, Y S (1975). Polyandry in Himalayas. Vikas Publishing House.
- ↑ Kapoor, R B (2012). Gazetteer of the Sirmur State 1934. B R Publishing Company. p. 32.
- ↑ Kumar, Ashutosh (2023-08-06). "Himachal's Hatti community thanks PM Modi as tribal status finally comes through". India Narrative. Retrieved 2026-04-25.
- ↑ Topno, S; Ghatak, N (1993). "The Jaunsaris of Uttar Pradesh". In Singh, K S (ed.). Tribal Ethnography Customary Law and Change. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 355–372.
- ↑ Pradesh (India), Himachal (1964). Administration Report of the Himachal Pradesh Administration. Director of Public Relations and Tourism.
- ↑ "Fresh hope for Hattis as HC sets final hearing on ST status". The Tribune. Retrieved 2026-04-25.