FAQ re Women

If this is such a women-revering ritual, why aren’t there any real women in the ceremonies?

The traditional answer is that a) Gavari cycles last 40 days; b) all major characters play the same roles throughout the cycle; c) Bhil women practice 4~5-day menstrual isolation; and thus d) women players’ withdrawal would cripple the troupe’s repertoire.

And  despite their relative social equality, there seems to little female interest in joining Gavari troupes.  They don't appear to mind staying home, tending the kids, and managing village affairs.

Gavari pilgrimages are after all quite austere ascetic outings where participants must renounce bathing, booze, meat, sex, even green vegetables; sleep on the ground & walk barefoot for hundreds of miles; perform for 6~7 hours each day, and eat just a single simple meal.

The women at home face no such rigors and get to enjoy the excitement of many other visiting troupes - often containing their own family members - during the 30+ days their own troupe is away. (The prime target destinations for Gavari pilgrimages are the villages where players’ married sisters and daughters dwell. It helps keep families close across long unelectrified distances and subtly warns in-laws to treat their womenfolk well.)

The clearest evidence of Gavari's non-sexist intent is the greater status, rights & freedom Bhil women enjoy relative to their Hindu/Muslim/Christian sisters.

For example, Bhil women have a year to decide whether their marriage is working. If they find their groom to be less than desirable, they are free to walk away, and again be considered fully marriageable. Needless to say, such discretion is unheard of in other outside communities with patriarchal creeds.

Another indicator is the joy that macho young Bhil boys get from playing female characters. Many start off portraying the consorts of kings, heroes or villains in hopes of being chosen for one of the all-important goddess roles. Though virtually all are sexually "straight" they try their best to present their characters as sensuous alluring beings and dance with amazing elan and feminine grace.  Those who rise to goddess status  play the same role for the full 40-days and proudly wear their female garb throughout.

This alone is a remarkable phenomenon given India’s mainstream Hindu/Islamic cultures, which view any feminine male behavior with great hostility or contempt.