Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Monday, July 9, 2018
Friday, February 28, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
India: A Ladakhi woman spinning wool, Jammu & Kashmir state
Ladakh "land of high passes" is a region of India inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. A feature of Ladakhi society that distinguishes it from the rest of the state is the high status and relative emancipation enjoyed by women compared to other rural parts of India. Fraternal polyandry and inheritance by primogeniture w...ere common in Ladakh until the early 1940s when these were made illegal by the government of Jammu and Kashmir, although they still exist in some areas. Another custom is known as khang-bu, or 'little house', in which the elders of a family, as soon as the eldest son has sufficiently matured, retire from participation in affairs, yielding the headship of the family to him and taking only enough of the property for their own sustenance.
India: The Ladakhi Perak
The Ladakhi Perak - the most important piece of jewelry worn by married women has religious and ritualistic symbolism embedded within it and is the most visible signature of Ladakhi identity. While Peraks made of mainly of black lamb skin, stitched turquoise and embellished with other materials such as coral, silver, lapis, pear and amber, covering the head like a cobra's hood and tapering... to a thin tail reaching down the backare. Rows of turquoise are often enhanced by a prominent ga’u, an amulet box sewed onto the center of the headdress. Though they are worn all over Ladakh, every region has a specific variation. Rank & economical status is shown with number number of front-to-back rows of turquoise and lapis lazuli stones: nine rows for the queen of Leh (the Ladakh capital), seven rows for the more modern aristocracy, five for the marvels, and three for the lower ranks. The perak traditionally signified the wealth of the mother, which was passed along to her daughter when she married and left home to live with her husband. The family would make additional headdresses for second and third daughters when they married. The perak, according to Aggarwal, identifies the woman’s body with the lu, the subterranean, serpentine deities that protect the human world. Since the headdresses channel divine protection to humanity, their owners had to wear them at public and ceremonial functions, particularly when they visited festivals or monasteries. The women carried their personal wealth on their heads; they only took them off at night, though they still kept on their braids and earflaps while they slept. The braids were only undone once a month when another woman, a specialist in performing proper rituals, came to unwind, wash and clean hair. The Ladakhis believed that the headdresses should be worn whenever women crossed streams or even went outdoors during the growing season, so the soil and woods would not be harmed. Loose, exposed hair on a woman was considered to be a sign of overt sexuality, something women avoided.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
India: Kumbh Mela
Akhara, association of different sects of Yogis, during Kumbh Mela- Hindu piligrimage of faith, marching over makeshift bridge in Allahabad.
Kumbh Mela and and Maha Kumbh Mela are largest religious gatherings in the world, held every 6 years in Allahabad, and in another 4 places at different years. There hindus gather to bathe in sacred rivers. Piligrimage is held for about 1.5 months in places where, is believed in Hinduism, drops of nectar fell from the kumbha carried by gods after the sea was churned.
India: Hair styling with family at Kuttanad, Alappuzha district, Kerala
Because of backwaters there are number of small islands and houseboats. In some places barbers are "on-call" to come to the residence.
India: Kutch- Gujarat
People of Kutch have different occupations, different beliefs, but they are one as Kutchis. It's a worldwide spread ethnic group, but through their culture they remain together. Almost all people of Kutch believe in Brahmans and start any new work on the advice of him. Many God and Godess festivals are included in Kuchi lives, and they all sing songs in fairs during night ti...mes. Also any guest in their place means a time for festival.
Clothing of Kutchi women is similar to one of Rajashtan. The main jewel of Kutchi women is Akota, that they wear in their nose. If it is too heavy, it's supported by a lock of hair. A nose ring is also one of the several symbols of a married woman. In some regions a girl’s nose is pierced once she is “of marriageable age” and marks her as ready for a husband. In general piercings in India are one way Hindus honor Parvathi, the goddess of marriage. Usually the left side of nose is chosen for woman piercing which in Ayurveda is believed helps with reproduction and childbirth pain.from www.patheos.com & www.asanjokutch.com
India: Teyyam Dancer, Kerala region
Theyyam, a colorful ritual dance of Kerala that attributes great importance to the worship of heroes and ancestral spirits, is a socio-religious ceremony. Theyyams are performed before the shrines. This sacred dance is believed to bring about well being for the society and the family. Almost all Theyyams are performed by the male members. To millions in Kerala..., the theyyam in their villages are visible, tangible gods and goddess, who appear but infrequently (festival is held May-October). The stories around which the theyyam performances are built range from tales of blood-drinking yakshis and witches, and the myths of serpent and animal deities, to the deeds of local heroes and ancestors.
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