Hatti Tribe

Recently, “Boda Tyohar”, the biggest annual festival of the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, commenced with traditional fervour.

The festival is celebrated by over three lakh members of the community and reflects their rich cultural heritage and social unity.

About the Hatti Tribe

The Hattis are a close-knit tribal community who derive their name from their traditional occupation of selling homegrown agricultural produce at small markets known as ‘Haat’ in nearby towns.

They primarily reside in the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border region, particularly in the basin of the Giri and Tons rivers, which are tributaries of the Yamuna.

There are two main Hatti clans:

• One in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district (Himachal Pradesh),

• The other in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand.

Both clans share similar customs and traditions, and intermarriages are common between them.

Cultural Practices and Social Structure

Hatti men traditionally wear a distinctive white headgear during ceremonial occasions, symbolizing their cultural identity.

One of the notable traditional practices among the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh is “Jodidara”, a form of polyandrous marriage, where a woman marries two or more brothers.

Importantly, polyandry is legally recognised in Himachal Pradesh under revenue laws, making it a unique socio-legal feature of the region.

The Hatti community is governed by a traditional council known as the ‘Khumbli’, which resolves disputes and takes decisions on community matters. This reflects their strong indigenous governance system.

Economic Life

The Hatti tribe primarily depends on agriculture for livelihood and subsistence.

The climatic conditions of their region are suitable for growing cash crops, which form the backbone of their local economy.

Population and Legal Status

According to the 2011 Census, the Hatti population was around 2.5 lakh. Currently, their population is estimated to be approximately 3 lakh.

A significant development occurred in 2023, when the Government of India granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hatti community in Himachal Pradesh.

It is noteworthy that the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand had already been granted tribal status in 1967.

Boda Tyohar (Magho ko Tyohar)

Boda Tyohar, also known as “Magho ko Tyohar,” is the largest and most important annual festival of the Hatti tribe.

The festival symbolizes:

• Cultural unity,

• Traditional customs,

• Community bonding, and

• Preservation of tribal identity.

Its celebration by over three lakh members highlights the vibrancy and continuity of Hatti cultural heritage.