In rural India, Rakhi meant protection of crops, cattle, and even rivers before it became about chocolates and wristwatches
In some tribal communities, women tied rakhis to ploughs, trees, and water sources—thanking nature for protecting their families
Village women often tied rakhis to other women, calling them “Jeevan Rakshikas”—life protectors in times of childbirth, drought, or conflict
Rakhi ceremonies weren’t private, they were communal, with group feasts, folk songs, and rituals that honored shared survival
Rakhis weren’t fancy; they were spun from raw cotton, dyed with turmeric, and often handmade with flowers and rice
In pastoral communities, rakhis were tied to cows and bulls before brothers—livestock were considered sacred protectors of livelihood
As cities expand and traditions shrink, these rural rakhi customs are vanishing. But they remind us of that Raksha Bandhan is about protection in every form