Kookana

Kookana or Kukana [ (depending on the choice of alphabets made in translation of the original Hindi word कूकणा )] or कूकणा (Hindi) is the name of a Jat clan or a Gotra name of Jats in Rajasthan, India and adjoining parts in Haryana.

Origin

According to "Bahi Bhats" (traditional family-history keepers) in Rajasthan, Kookanas are believed to be the descendents of Shri Kookan/Kukan ji, born in Jodhpur/Nagaur area, not sure how long ago.

Current locations

In Haryana

District Fatehabad Suli Khera; Bhattu Kalan; Dhingsara

District HisarMeerkan; Dobhi-Kharia

In Rajasthan

District BikanerBikaner; Naorangdeshar; Bamlu; Shekshar;

District NaguarDegana; Kukanwali; Shankhwas; Itawalakha

Other DistrictsA list of several villages in various parts of Rajasthan can be found on the site listed in the Reference section, below.

Movements of Kookana clan

Migration - about 500 years ago

It is believed that a small batch of Kookana families migrated, probably some 500 years ago, and settled near Bikaner in Rajasthan. Their growth has resulted into a couple of large villages near Bikaner, namely, Naorangdesar [(approximately 20 km (12 miles) from Bikaner on Jaipur Highway, NH11)] and Bamlu. [(about 5 km (3 miles) off the highway)]

Migration - about 200 years ago

From Naorangdeshar, around AD 1800, a small group of families migrated to then Punjab and settled in Hissar district, now part of Haryana, in the province commonly called "Paintalisa" (45 villages) dominated by the Beniwal clan (another Jat Gotra).

Migration - about 20 years ago

The latest migration of Kookana clan include emigration to Australia by a couple of families during last two decades. Currently four Kookana families reside in Australia.

Language

Hindi with Rajasthani or Bagri dialect, depending on the current location in Rajasthan or Haryana, is the most commonly spoken language. However, the dialect of Haryanavi Kookanas has changed substantially due to the influence of Punjabi, owing to proximity to the Punjabi speaking area. In the Fatehabad district, use of Punjabi words, as well as other dialectal influences of the language, are apparent in the currently spoken Bagri dialect of Hindi.

The younger generation of the Kookana migrants to Australia (now residing in Adelaide and Canberra) rely solely on English and have essentially lost (barring a few words) their ability to speak in the traditional Rajasthani or Bagri dialects of Hindi.

Educational status

The educational status of Kookana families in general tends to vary from region to region. For example, Kookanas from Jodhpur, Nagaur and Bikaner regions seem to have had relatively lesser educational uptake than by those residing in Haryana. Kookanas from Haryana have indeed excelled in university education during the last 3 decades and have had the opportunity to win scholarships and gain higher education from overseas universities, such as Doctorate of Philosophy. Their clan members currently include PhDs, scientists, medical specialists, economists, MBAs and chartered accountants. Some members of the Kookana families are now settled in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Worship habits

Some of the Kookana families from villages in Haryana still maintain the tradition of worshiping the Goddess Karni Mata of Deshnok on certain day of lunar month, the culture clearly originating from Bikaner. Kookanas are also devotees of the monkey god Hanuman and often make pilgrimages to Salasar in Rajasthan.

Notes

References

* [http://www.jatland.com/home/Kookana A list of villages in Rajasthan where Kookana jats currently live]