Nomadism has been a significant part of human history, and it continues to be relevant in the contemporary world. The present study explores the Waghri community, a nomadic community originally from Gujarat, now settled in Punjab for the past three or four generations. The community faced stigmatization under the British government and was listed as a criminal tribe in Bombay Presidency. The community claims to have migrated for better livelihood prospects. The Waghri community is widely spread across India and has several sub-castes differentiated based on traditional occupations and territorial grounds. However, these sub-castes have no social hierarchy, and they trace their clan from their clan deity. The community members are firm believers in the goddess Durga and have now started to refer to themselves as Devipujak (worshippers of the goddess). Currently, they are involved in the second-hand clothes recycling trade. The community is known for its cordial relations with its neighbouring communities and is primarily found residing in the state's urban localities, as they are dependent on middle-class and upper-middle-class families for their trade of old clothes recycling. Despite being stigmatized in their home state Gujarat, in Punjab, they haven't felt stigmatized and are widely known as Gujarati rather than Waghri. The community is economically downtrodden and educationally backward, due to which they are not accounted by the government and is leading a marginalized life. The present study sheds light on the Waghri community's culture, beliefs, and practices, which are shaped by their mobile past and current circumstances. It also highlights the ways in which community maintains their cultural and traditional practices while navigating through the uncertainties and indeterminacies regarding their future.
