Custodians Of The Desert

“Custodians Of The Desert”
Location: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India
Date: August 2016
Photographer: Lopa Basu
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: India
Category: People
2026 International Photography Exhibition

“A young Raika herder guiding his Kankrej herd through the dust of Kutch. I took this photograph walking alongside the nomadic pastoralists of Gujarat. For centuries, the Raika / Rabari have navigated the arid stretches of Kutch, their lives rhythmically bound to their livestock. In a rapidly developing world, they remain the guardians of India's oldest indigenous cattle breeds. Their vibrant turbans and traditional white cotton top are deeply symbolic of their community identity."