While
each of our tribes comprise of a few families, the sheer variety of tribes to
be found in the subcontinent is numberless. The ways of life and languages are
distinct from one tribe to another, of which very little has been documented.
This is because of how remote they are, and how close yet self-sufficient their
economies are. Speaking of economy, art is a major part of tribal life-expression, which in turn plays a two-pronged role in their sustenance.
The
dynamic brass figurine you see on this page is one such work of art. It
captures a quintessential aspect of Indian tribal life. Foraging, hunting, and
gathering are their primary means of livelihood, so it is imperative that their
menfolk know their way around the woods and the mountains. This young man is
clad in a coarse dhoti, short enough to facilitate agility, and a turban to
hold back his curls. Bracelets, anklets, and danglers constitute his
adornments, which are probably the hallmarks of his clan. From the stance of
his arms, he seems to be taking a short-distance aim at a small unsuspecting
animal.
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| Tribal Youth |
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