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ID
# bopapuli3
Copyright
2002 - Jean-Philippe
Soule
www.jpsviewfinder.com & www.nativeplanet.org
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Country:
India
/ Village: Jaisalmer
Ethnic Group: Bopa /
Feature:
Portraits
Puli of the Bopa caste lives on the outskirts of
Jaisalmer.
Indian people show less interest in listening to the Bopa's songs than
they did in the past. Many Bopa Gypsy people follow the path of their
ancestors. Most still make their livelihood from music and chants, which
they perform for small monetary donations. The new generation in India
does not appreciate Bopa music or culture. Bopa women are among the most
beautiful in Rajasthan and they hope their charms will be enough to sell
cheap accessories to the tourists. Puli Bopa lives in a ghetto in
Jaisalmer. Everyday she walks to the gate of the old town, hoping to
sell her necklaces and bracelets. But it is difficult being considered
of low caste, and she is not allowed into the old touristy part of the
city.
With the approval of local authorities, I invited her to view, for the
first time, the heart of the city she lived in but had never seen.
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