The Bishnoi community from the Indian state of Rajasthan has worshiped nature and animals for hundreds of years. They believe that deer are sacred animals, so the women of Bishnoi feed orphaned deer in the same way as their own babies.
Locals told reporters that they don't differentiate between babies and fawns and that this helps them communicate with the animal world.
This woman in the photo is simultaneously breastfeeding her baby and a small deer. For strangers, such a sight will be a shock, but for the Bishnoi tribe it is commonplace.
“This fawn is like my own baby,” says 45-year-old Mangi Devi. “Caring for the fawn is my life. I feed them milk and look after them carefully as my family members until they grow up. When we are there, they are no longer orphans, as we give them the same motherly care.
There are about two thousand houses in the village of Bishnoi. They honor the 15th century guru Sri Jambeshwar Bhagwan and carefully follow his 29 directions. According to these rules, the Bishnoi tribe protects and preserves the nature around them; these people do not cut trees and do not eat meat. They are also not afraid of animals and their children play next to wild animals of different species without fear.
Among the instructions of the guru there is also a ban on wearing blue clothes, since blue dye is made from bushes, a recommendation to wash and pray twice a day, bans on theft, smoking tobacco, hashish and other hemp derivatives, a ban on alcohol, recommendations not to condemn anyone and not criticize, be able to forgive in heart and be merciful.
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Bishnoi are also sworn enemies of local poachers, as they do everything, even risk their lives, to protect the animals.
Roshini, a 21-year-old student, recounts how he spent his childhood playing with reindeer. He calls them his sisters and brothers and says that it is their responsibility to take care of the fawns and make sure they grow up healthy.
Ram Jivan, 24, says their community does not see a fundamental difference between humans and animals, and for them they are more like members of a large family.
- We take care of them and keep them in our homes so that more dangerous animals like wild dogs don't attack them. If they are injured, we treat them and protect them as our children.
Ram Jivan says their community has been doing this for over 550 years and they are committed to protecting animals from attack and even the summer heat, especially taking care of the little ones. All Bishnois are very proud of the way they live.
