Sign and Symbols in Tribal Culture

Tribal culture speculate the complex religion and strange beliefs. All the various tribal communities, narrows down to one common facts- a real world outlined with countless myths. Since time immemorial, the concept of understanding nature and the style of living life has underwent several changes. But yet, many tribal folks are not behind to pass on their ancestral belief to the their next generation. A very interesting way to unfold their culture, is to brief out the sign and symbols, which represents the status and style within the society.

Tattoos: The use of tattoos in tribal community speaks a lot in terms of of the origin and the social hierarchy of a person, who wears it. It is said, a person bearing big and complex tattoo is superior as compared to one with simple one. As per the tribal rituals, tattoo describes the age and sex of an individual. Also, in some tribes, males ink their body-parts with the totem animals and believe that they inherit the power of the tattooed animal. The Toda women tattooed in patterns of dots and circle, expresses their adulthood, whereas, scar in the male's wrist or elbows, certifies him for milking buffaloes.

Wooden articles: Males in Naga tribal community display their status symbol by wearing wooden carved head gears in any of their festivals or dance acts. According to them, it symbolizes their bravery and status. Horned head dresses, intricate with animal teeth and beaks are believed to enhance the power and prestige of the wearer. Many carry the proud occupation of carving drinking mugs, smoking pipes and morung pillars, flourished with the sign of powerful wild animals like tigers, buffaloes etc or symbol of warriors and weapons.