Tattoos and Body Art | The Tribals of India with Tattoo Culture

Hello Readers,

Have you ever seen or know someone with a cool tattoo and wondered what was it’s actual meaning? Or have you noticed someone with unique body art and felt curious about the fact That why they chose to alter their natural body for? Well, the history of Tattoos or body arts is far lengthy that we think and these Tattoos and body modifications have been a long part of human culture for thousands of years while allowing people to express themselves in a unique, creative and meaningful way. So in today’s post, Let us take a dive into the creative and fascinating world of tattoos and body modifications and explore some incredible traditions from my own country India. So without further ado, let us start..

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The Art of Tattoos

A tattoo is basically a design made on our skin by inserting ink and may located at any part of the body. People generally get tattoos for many reasons which include - to remember a loved or missing one, to celebrate a special event or achievement or simply because they like the design. Tattoo is a vast spread form of art and no matter which part of the world you are in, you will see people with Tattoos everywhere in this world. Now, taking about Tattoos, they can be small and simple or large and complex and they can be seen covering significant parts of the body. There are probably billions of different tattoo pictures that has been drawn on human bodies but each of them tells creates a unique bon with the living canvas and tells a unique story, thus there is no doing, the Tattoo makes it a unique form of personal expression for the one who is wearing it.

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Body Art and Body Modification

I think Body art is the next level of tattoos, as these are permanent changes which can not be rectified once done. Body art is not just about tattoos, it includes any artistic design made on a living body - such as using temporary henna tattoos or face painting. Body modification on the other hand and it also involves altering the body in more permanent ways such as piercings, stretching earlobes or micro-blading. These unique but somewhere dangerous practices allow people to change their visual appearance in such a unique way and express their identity in a visible way.

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The Rich Tattoo Culture of India

Tattoo is not just a modern art form or style statement, but its roots are deep in human civilisation and many tribes from their ancient days are practicing tattoo as a culture even today. My country India also has a rich history of tattoos and body art deeply rooted in the traditions of various native tribes. Let us explore some of these fascinating cultures..

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The Santhals/Saonthal This tribal group found in my known state West Bengal and its adjacent stats like Bihar and Odisha, has a long known tradition of tattoos. For the Santhals, tattoos are not just decorative for your body, they have deep spiritual significance and meanings. They believe that tattoos on their body are sacred and protect them from evil spirits and ensure their safe passage to the afterlife.

Toda Tribe of South India The Toda people who are living in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu for a long time are known for their unique tattoo designs. These tattoos often feature geometric patterns and symbols that represent their connection to nature and their community and nowadays these tribal tattoos are getting popular in urban and sub urban areas as well. The Dhanuks The Dhanuk tribe, who are primarily found in Bihar have a unique tattoo tradition where their women get tattoos as a rite of passage into adulthood. These tattoos often depict nature, animals, and religious symbols while highlighting their cultural beliefs and values.

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The Ao Nagas The Ao Nagas are another well known tribe from the northeastern state of Nagaland who have a rich tattoo culture that signifies bravery and achievements. Traditionally, tattoos were given to the tribe warriors as marks of their courage and success in battles. Each tattoo tells a story of personal and communal pride and such tattoos are very significant and powerful in this community.

The Rabaris The Rabari tribe who are mainly found in Gujarat and Rajasthan, has a distinctive tattoo culture where women decorate their body parts i.e., arms, neck and faces with amazing looking designs called ‘trajva’. These tattoos are considered a form of jewellery and beauty while symbolising their cultural identity, pride and heritage.

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Why Do People actually Get Tattoos and Body Modifications?

I personally think that people choose to be tattooed and doing body modifications on their body for various reasons, including..

*Self-Expression Tattoos and body art allow individuals to express their personality, beliefs and experiences. Like drawing a Cross or Om sign is a common religion practice.

Cultural Identity For many tribal communities, tattoos are a way to preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage like Santals and Rabaris and many other tribes which I missed talking in this post.

Beauty and Aesthetics Some people simply enjoy the artistic aspect of tattoos and body modifications and while treating their bodies as a canvas, they engage in tattooing their body parts.

Rituals and Rites of Passage In some cultures, tattoos also act as markers to remember important life events, such as reaching adulthood, parenthood or achieving a significant milestone in life or overcoming or surviving an accident.

Personal Empowerment Body art can also be empowering in many cases by mentally giving individuals a sense of control over their appearance and identity.

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That’s it for today and I hope you liked reading my post. I guess now the next time you see a tattoo or a piece of body art, you would take a moment to appreciate the story behind it. Do you also have a tattoo on your body or know someone close who has it?

Let me know in the comments below and I will be seeing you in my next post.

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