Almost 1000 miles away from the glossy tattoo shops splattered around the dazzling New Delhi, Netarhat exists. The looming hills drape the horizon along with the dark clouds, the Sal trees keep on swaying nonchalantly here and there, the thick forest sprawling miles appears mysterious but the ambience out here defines serenity. Netarhat – also known as the ‘queen of Jharkhand’ deserves the sobriquet. The place bustles with hillocks and tiny rivulets, with gurgling waterfalls romping their way through the scintillating wilderness and small tribal villages where ‘humanity’ in its most literal terms, still finds a place to breathe freely.
It may be almost impossible for a tattoo artist sitting in Delhi to imagine people wearing tattoos up on their sleeves here at Netarhat. The truth, however, is that an equally profound ‘tattoo’ culture simmers in this part of the world which is yet to be recognized by the mainstream tattoo world. Known as ‘GODNA’ which literally means a scribbled piece of art, these tribal tattoos enthrall not because they are majestic rather it is their simplicity which makes them a treat to be watched.
A few miles into the forest, there exists a village named ‘PASERIPAT’ where tribes hailing from the ‘ORAON’ caste live. The village consists of some twenty roofs and seventy odd people. The roofs are thatched, the walls are plastered with mud and the people remain jovial, yet to be infatuated with the worldly code of conducts. Rooted to their roots, these tribal people still cling to the forest. It is the forest which still defines their lifestyle.
If honesty and simplicity is the inner jewels that nature has bestowed upon these tribes, their ‘tattooed’ body speaks for their unique fashion sense. This place boasts of a rich tattooing lineage which spans back to many centuries. ‘GODNA’ has been a part of their culture since time immemorial, especially among the ORAON women.
Looking at some tribal women from the ORAON tribal community, one finds a sumptuous blend of delicate designing and some immaculate tattooing techniques. ‘GODNA’ is not just a fashion statement among them. It is the most profound symbol of social stratification within the tribal communities. The social role of these tribal tattoos is to help them differentiate an ‘ORAON’ from a ‘KISAN’ or a ‘MUNDA’ which are some of the other castes within the tribal fraternity.
It is the tribal women who usually have a‘GODNA’ done on their body. Most of them get tattooed at a very young age, mostly around their early teens. A popular saying which finds prominence among the ORAON tribal community goes like this:
“Your Body, Your Soul, Your Beauty, Your Skin – everything is bound to meet its end one day. It is this ‘GODNA’ which would remain with you even after death.”
The ‘Oraons’ believe in life after death. They believe that it is these tattoos which would help an ORAON lady find an ORAON guy after death!
Tribal tattoos, in these parts, may not be a thing to die for but the sheer exuberance with which the tribal women wear them throughout their lives conveys the significance of them in their lives. That said, it is heartening to note that despite some rustic and outdated tattooing techniques used, the number of hygiene related problems are amazingly low among these people. At a time, when the tattooing industry is battling to find its way through the innumerable hygiene related issues, we should take a leaf out of their life.
