The Bakarwal, one of the pastoral communities of Jammu & Kashmir state, are identified as goat and sheep herders. The name is derived from the word bakariwale, meaning goat herders or goat and sheep rearers. The SWAT region is considered and claimed to be the original homeland of the Bakarwal who starting coming to Kashmir in search of green pastures, In the late nineteenth century, the community migrated to the Kashmir valley They are predominantly concentrated in the districts of Kajouri, Pöonch, Udhampur, Kathua, Jammu and Doda, though they are spread over almost all the districts of the state. They speak Kashmiri language and use Arabic script yet their dialect is identified as Gujri which is the main dialect of the Gujjars. The Bakarwals have a mostly vegetarian diet and their staple food consists of maize, rice, wheat and pulses such as moong (green gram), black gram, urad, brown gram, musur. There is no social division in the community but a slight differentiation on the basis of economic status, educational qualification and size of the sheep flock can be noticed among them. They perceive themselves of the middle rank of the regional social hierarchy but others place them on the lower rank. Endogamy at the community level is always maintained. Monogamy is the general practice though polygamy is also permissible in the community. The rules of residence are patrilocal.
Women assist in the household work, milking of animals, collection of fuel, collection of fodder, bringing potable water, purchase of essential commodities and looking after the wounded cattle.
The economy of the Bakarwal depends on their livestock. Though they possess agricultural land and are in different allied occupations, these are considered secondary occupations. They also earn money from the tourists by carrying their luggage to the valley of Sonemarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Bhadarwah. The Bakarwals have their own Biradari Panchayat to settle the disputes within the community. The head of the panchayat is known as the Nambardar (headman) and is selected by voice vote. When they live in their original habitat, village statutory Panchayats also intervene in inter-ethnic or land disputes. These Panchayats work for the development and welfare of the village. Different Muslims festivals are observed by them in different months.
Folk songs are sung by women on different social functions. They still favour their indigenous traditional medicare syster because in certain areas where they camp the facilities of moder medicare are not available.
