Do you know what these tattoos stand for?
Women from a Hindu community in Sindh, known as Kachhi Kohli, often decorate their arms, necks and faces with intricate tattoos. It is not known for certain when exactly this practice started, or why it is done, but there are several stories told about it.
What we have gathered is that this art form was embraced centuries ago in India for decorative and therapeutic purposes. They used a single needle and liquid pigment (made out of lamp soot and tannin from the bark of local trees) to permanently tattoo their skin. To prevent swelling, they used to apply a turmeric paste over the tattooed area. Inking their necks, faces and arms signified the tribe’s belief in magic.
Another prominent story claims it originated during the Indus civilization, as we can see signs from their scripture.
