Kinners or Kinnauras The people of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh have traditionally been referred to as Kinners. The term Kinnauras is also widely used. They live under very harsh conditions, created by the inclement weather and climatic conditions.

The legend of the Sangla valley, Kinnaur. (Download Realplayer)

Kinners during festivities. Credit: Discover India

The Kinnauras consist of the Rajputs or Khosias and the Berus. The Khosias include Hindus and Buddhists. The former are dominant in Nichar, Sangla and Kalpa areas while the latter dominate the tracts adjoining Tibet and Spiti. The Berus are made up of four artist castes -- the Lohar, the Badhi, the Koli and the Nangalu.

The People of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the tribes, were left alone during the British rule in India, but after India's independence, changes took place due to improvements in communications and the establishment of post offices and banks etc. Modernization is slowly influencing their hill culture, their traditions and their way of life. Due to the spread of education and widespread contact with outsiders, the educated Himachalis have started to break away from their age-old traditions.

The hill people are frank, honest, hospitable and peace loving. The life of the people is simple and hard. However, they have a rich cultural legacy and a wealth of legends and myths. The standard of literacy in the region was low till the 1980s, but in recent times the government has made every effort to increase educational facilities and introduced compulsory primary education, due to which the literacy rate has increased considerably.

The results of old contacts with Tibet are still visible in the fairs and festivals and other customs of the people in the remote areas. It is interesting to note, however, that the customs have undergone a change. With the increase in the number of visitors from the plains, the younger generations are rapidly taking to modern ideas and adapting to changes.

Kinner girls. Credit: Discover India

The inhabitants of Kinnaur have a fair complexion and are well-built, tough and muscular. The extended family system is still prevalent in the Kinnaur region. Polyandry prevails in the villages but is rapidly losing ground to monogamy. The Himachalis practise fraternal polyandry and the patriarchal system of inheritance. All the brothers of the bridegroom are considered automatically the husbands of the bride. Polyandry helps the people of Kinnaur to perpetuate the name of their family and safeguard the family property from fragmentation. The polyandrous tribes of the Himalayas can be compared with the Pandavas of the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata, who are believed to have had a polygamous system. However, such marriages are on the decline.

The women of Kinnaur are famous for their beauty and there are many references to it in books of olden times. According to the old scriptures, the Kinner Kanyas (girls) were famous for their beauty and were used as Vish Kanyas (poison girls) by the kings and royal families to overcome their enemies through their seductive "talents".