The Gujarati New Year tradition of buying 'Sabras' and the life of Agariyas

In Gujarat, there is a special tradition on the day after Diwali, i.e., on the morning of the New Year, where people purchase rock salt known as 'Sabras'. This tradition is rooted in the belief that buying and selling salt before sunrise on the first day of the New Year brings happiness and prosperity to the household. According to William D. Crump's 'Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide', Gujaratis living across the world celebrate the New Year and consider the purchase of salt on this day to be extremely auspicious. However, experts believe that in cities like Ahmedabad, this old tradition of street vendors roaming through lanes shouting 'Sabras' is now gradually disappearing.

According to a report by BBC Gujarati, the word 'Sabras' means salt, which is also known as 'Lavan' in Sanskrit. Reference to this is also found in the Bhagavad Gomandal. According to photographer and journalist Ambubhai Patel, the practice of placing salt at the threshold of the house on New Year's Day is merely a belief and has no scientific reason behind it. Sukhdev Patel, President of the 'Gantar' institution, explains that Sabras is a medium for the symbolic exchange of the taste and essence of life. Professor Dr. Ashwinkumar of Gujarat Vidyapith states that in the past, vendors used to sell whole blocks of salt on carts, and this was considered a common and auspicious purchase for the city's residents. Even today, whole blocks of salt are used in auspicious occasions such as weddings, Ganesh Sthapana, and Griha Pravesh.

The main pillar behind this tradition is the Agariyas of Gujarat. After Diwali concludes, these Agariyas migrate to the Little Rann of Kutch for eight months to produce salt. A total of 87.4 per cent of India's salt is produced in Gujarat, contributing significantly to meeting the country's requirements. While producing salt in the Little Rann of Kutch, the Agariyas sing folk songs about salt during their work. For their children, these blocks of salt are like toys. The lives of these Agariyas are extremely difficult, yet they have remained connected to this profession for years, performing the task of producing salt for the nation.

From a constitutional perspective, salt is placed at serial number 58 in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution. This demonstrates how important a commodity salt is for the country. While on one hand, the tradition of buying Sabras is gradually declining in cities, on the other hand, the lives of Agariyas inside the desert still revolve around salt. Sabras is not just a food item, but an integral part of Gujarati culture and tradition, which for years has been linked with the hope of bringing sweetness into people's lives at the start of the New Year. When this salt produced by the Agariyas reaches people's homes, it does not remain merely a necessity, but is accepted as an auspicious omen.

Historically, salt holds an important place in India's economy and social life. The Agariya community has traditionally been associated with salt production, and the Little Rann of Kutch has been their workspace. This community has kept the art of salt production alive for generations. In earlier times, the importance of salt was not limited to cooking alone; it was also considered indispensable in religious and social rituals. Even today, when people buy Sabras on the New Year, they are unknowingly paying respect to the hard work and tradition of these Agariyas.