Getting inked more than a passing gen-z fad
In India, while tattoos are typically a personal choice, certain tribes use them to maintain their collective identity. Valued for their healing properties and cultural significance, tattoos are becoming a sought-after souvenir for travellers exploring rural India as well. This emerging trend is shedding light on the rustic charm of the countryside, offering a glimpse into a hidden gem of cultural exploration. Here, we showcase snapshots of diverse tattoos adorning the skin of rural India, captured by contestants of the Village Vibe Photo Contest.
As the woman transplanted millets in a muddy field in Koraput, Odisha, her tattoo became immersed in mud. (Photo by Hitesh Kumar Nayak)
The photo captured a grandma’s daily routine of sitting, showcasing traditional “Trajva” tribal tattoo art on her hands and legs, reflecting the culture of the Kathiawad region in Gujarat. (Photo by Bhoomi)
The Ramnami tribe, found in Chhattisgarh and Bihar’s coal belt, displays unwavering devotion to Lord Ram. Members of the Ramnami Samaj adorn their bodies, including faces, with tattoos solely depicting the name of Ram. (Photo by Akash Ghosh)
A venerable white-haired lady, wearing vibrant traditional attire, proudly displays her rabari neck tattoo. Her smile radiates contentment, symbolising a life intertwined with nature and tradition. (Photo by Niharika Jogi)
The Konyak tribe of Nagaland is renowned for its distinctive face tattoos, which serve as identification marks. Once famed as headhunters, the Konyaks embody a legacy of tradition and history (Photo by Abhishek Basak)
An elderly woman from the Baiga tribal community in Chichrugapur, Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh, proudly showed her traditional tattoos on her wrinkled arm. (Photo by Raoul-Ross D’Souza)
In Daringbadi, Odisha, the woman’s face bears a rare and almost extinct tattoo, symbolising the deep-rooted heritage of the Khonds tribe. (Photo by Pritha Chakraborty)
The lead image showcases that tattooing evolved from conveying meaning to encompassing spiritual and aesthetic roles. Among Chhattisgarh’s indigenous tribes, Baiga women stand out as practitioners of this tradition. (Photo by Abhishek Basak)