Welcome to Koli Samaj.org, your online resource on Koli community of Gujarat.
Our Customs:
Many people in India perceive culture and customs of their own caste to that of entire general
population of the people speaking same language. e.g. The most common perception about
Gujaratis is that they are vegetarian. This is not true as more than 75% of the Hindu
population of Gujarat enjoy eating meat/fish/poultry. The vegetarianism is practiced by people
from higher castes excluding Rajputs and by a large farming caste of Patidars/Kanbis. The
strong presence of Jainism whose followers practice strict vegetarianism and certain groups
from higher castes who control economy, media and art/educational institutions have created
wrong perceptions about Gujaratis being vegetarian. In Gujarat most Kolis, apart from certain
subcastes (e.g. Matia Koli), do not practice vegetarianism. The Kolis fall into Kshatriya
category in Hindu caste system.
Here we present customs and culture of Koli people who have their own distinct culture and
customs within Gujarati domain.
The Kolis, unlike two main branches of Hinduism-Vaishnavism and Shaivism, believe in
Shaktism. That is, their main deity is one or other form of Shakti. Since Shakti is consort of
Shiva, a Shiva temple, along with numerous Shakti temples, is found wherever Kolis are in
sizeable numbers.
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