Kansara

The Kansara (or Kasera) are a Hindu caste whose traditional occupation is the making of bronze and metal utensils; they inhabit the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra,Goa and Rajasthan.^[1]

Kansara

Kansara man from Baroda State, 1911.
Regions with significant populations
India
Languages
Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, Hindi
Religion
Hinduism, Christian

Etymology

The Kansara derive their name from Gujarati kan̩su (કાંસુ) meaning bronze.^[2]

History

During the Mughal Empire, many Kansaras moved from Gujarat to Maharashtra and Rajasthan.^[1] They are an urban caste.^[3]

In Goa St Estevam island (formerly known as Juva, Jevem in konkani ) kansar community got converted to Christianity under Portugal rule. They are known as Juevemchem Kansar literally means kansar's from Juvem village.

Festivals

They celebrate all Hindu festivals, though Navaratri and Vijayadashami are the main celebrations. They arrange many cultural functions during the nine days of Navaratri and perform Shastra Puja on the tenth day, i.e., on Vijayadashami. Other important festivals are Deepawali, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Sahasrarjun Jayanti, Kartik Ekadashi, and Nag Panchami.^[1]

Subgroups

The Kansara originally belong to Gujarat, India.

Based on their native place, Gujarati Kansaras are divided into Maru Kansara, Sorathia Kansara Jamnagari Kasera and Surti Kasera. They live in Wadhwan, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Kutch and Dhrangadhra.

Kansaras living in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are vegetarian.^[2]