What is the food of Raikas community?

The Raikas community is a pastoral community found in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. They are traditionally nomadic herders and their diet primarily revolves around foods that are easily accessible during their travels. Here are some of the common food items consumed by the Raikas community:

1. Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt (dahi), buttermilk (chaas), and ghee (clarified butter) are essential components of the Raikas diet. They obtain milk from their livestock, such as cows, buffalo, and goats.

2. Bajra and Jowar: These are millets that are commonly consumed by the Raikas. They are often used to make flatbreads (rotis) or porridge.

3. Rice: Rice is also a staple food, especially in the areas where it is more easily cultivated.

4. Vegetables: They consume vegetables like onions, garlic, green chili, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and leafy greens such as spinach, fenugreek, and mustard.

5. Pulses: Pulses, such as pigeon pea (toor dal), black gram (urad dal), mung beans (moong dal), and chickpeas (chana), form an important part of their diet and provide essential proteins.

6. Seasonal Fruits: They consume seasonal fruits like mangoes, bananas, melons, and citrus fruits, depending on the region and availability.

7. Spices: The Raikas community uses various spices to flavor their dishes, such as chili powder, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and garam masala.

8. Traditional Dishes: Some traditional dishes commonly consumed by the community include:

- Ker sangri: a dish made with dried ker berries and beans.

- Dal Baati Churma: a combination of lentils (dal), baked wheat rolls (baati), and sweet crumbled bread (churma).

- Lapsi: a sweet porridge made from broken wheat, jaggery, and ghee.

- Ghevar: a traditional Rajasthani sweet dish made from flour and shaped into a disc with intricate patterns.

9. Meat: While the Raikas community is predominantly vegetarian, some groups also consume meat on special occasions or when available. Goat and lamb are commonly consumed meats, and they may also eat poultry and eggs.

10. Chaach: Buttermilk (chaach) is a popular beverage among the Raikas. It is often flavored with spices and herbs, such as mint, cumin, and chilies.

11. Tea: Tea (chai) is another widely consumed beverage, typically made with milk and sugar.

It's important to note that the food habits of the Raikas community may vary depending on the region and availability of different food items.