Introduction / History
The Zamral are a relatively small people group who make their home primarily in Madhya Pradesh. Their primary occupation is labor and migratory jobs. Other than that, they are engaged into making baskets and, to a lesser degree, roofs from bamboo. The baskets are sold in the markets.

Where are they located?
They are found primarily in the Barwani and West Nimar districts of Madhya Pradesh.

What are their lives like?
They consider themselves Shudra (or Sudra). Shudra is the lowest Varna, or division in the Hindu caste system. They are typically farmers, craftsmen, and laborers. The four Varnas are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. They are not, however, part of the lowest caste, the "untouchables".

They marry only within their group, between clans such as Basare, Chouhan and Nakalia. The role of women is very important in the production of baskets as well as in other parts of society.

They eat jowar and wheat as their primary cereals and do not avoid eating meat. They speak the Nimari or Nimadi language at home and Hindi for communication outside of the group.

What are their beliefs?
They are Hindus who worship Shankar, Parvati and Hanuman.

What are their needs?
There is a need for literacy training among them as the vast majority can not read. They make use of development programs having to do with education, electricity, medical, family welfare, communication and even grants from the government which benefit their basket-making industry.