Desert Arts And Peoples

Kala Raksha has upgraded Nav Kakri, utilizing the traditional arts of Rabaris. Rabaris are nomadic herders. Originally they herded camels for the royalty and acted as trusted messengers of kings. Rabari women are very industrious and skillful. Gathered together during leisure afternoon and evening hours, women embroider garments to adorn themselves and their children, and utilitarian and decorative pieces to fill family members' dowries.

Rabari women use a particular embroidery style unique to their community. Mirrored and labour-intensive, this style is claimed to be so durable that the stitching will outlive the cloth. Rabari embroidery, like Nav Kakri, is very old and seems to have roots that trace to early wanderings out side India

The board for this Nav Kakri game was designed by a Rabari woman using her embroidery skills. The pieces were adapted from another Rabari art, beadwork. Rabaris like to cover found objects such as bottles, rolling pins and the rings they use to balance pots on their heads with beadwork, for decoration