Lady of Blessings !

Allow this beautiful tribal lady into your space. This is a peculiar Bastar art form of depicting a simple tribal woman on a dark background with interesting motifs. The tribal women are symbols of strength as they are allowed to lead the pack as much as the men. Despite child-bearing and daily chores, they join their husbands in active hunting and farming. May this small art piece of tribal woman become a pillar of your strength.  

Material : Dhokra 'Bell Metal' & wood

Dimension: 5x1x6 inch 

Weight : 200 gms

You would love to know this piece of art is 

The Legend 

'Woman power'

The tribal women of Bastar have their own ways of empowering themselves. In general, the Bastar tribals lead a progressive life with freedom to choose vocation and life partners, socially accepted live-in relationships and premarital sexual relationships are common.

Women have similar rights as that of men and are often expected to lead the tribe or a pack. One such empowering gesture for tribal women in Chhattisgarh is called ‘didi mandai’ - an annual celebration for women folk of all the Bastar tribes. Thousands of tribal women participate in the event that is held at several villages of the region.

There’s absolutely no agenda of this event but to allow women to have one day away from husbands and children (though many lactating mothers bring their infants) and have fun. There are dances, games, singing, sharing sessions etc. Many NGOS have been using this occasion to educate tribal women about health, hygiene, feeding of infants, diseases and other important issues. A tribal woman is considered the central source of tribal energy, this is why craftsmen here often depict tribal women in their arts and crafts.