The Gujarati are primarily classified as the inhabitants of the state of Gujarat, western India. Gujarat is one of the most industrialized states in India. For most of them, Gujarati is their native language. They are a complex people group, speaking various dialects and having many cultural distinctions. Some of these differences are based on region, while others are based on their “caste” (social class) or community.
Gujarati people are predominantly vegetarian. Gandhism has strongly influenced their cuisine and they prefer to stay away from non-vegetarian food as well as alcoholic drinks. Their diet consists of ample amounts of pulses, cereals, veggies, fruits, pickles, papads, ghee, spices and buttermilk. khichadi curry, bhakri shag, doodh pak and khaman dhokla are some of the well-known dishes of Gujarat.
The people of Gujarat love to adhere to their tradition when it comes to their clothing. In the more rural areas, men still wear typical kheda dress while women wear typical chaniya choli. Older women often wear sarees with blouses as well as salwar kameezees and older men wear dhoti-kurta/bandis and turbans.
The Gujarati language is the typical language of Gujarat; however, they also speak other languages like Kathiawai, Surti, Kutchi, Charotari, Sindhi, Punjabi and even Sanskrit. Hinduism and Jainism are the chief religions practiced by Gujaratis.
The richness of Gujarati cultural traditions is what characterizes the great population of Gujarat across the diaspora!
