Woven Souls
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Lambani Gypsy Tribe - Karnataka, India

This tribe from Southern India has a culture similar
to that of the Rabaris from the Kutch in Western India.
The dress and costume are similar and the language variant used
by the Lambanis has its roots based in the western languages,
but ahs over the years evolved into a unique and distinct dialect.
The origins are quite likely the same, but the Lambanis settled
in northern Karnataka, about a 1000km away from the Rabaris
at some point in history.
Other elements of culture such as furniture design and crafts bear similarity
to the articles available in the Swat valley Afghanistan.

All photographs copyright Jaina Mishra and are not to be used without permission

These pictures were taken in the village KaagihaalTaanda - which is not even on the map !
A large number of the senior women have shed their tribal costumes
and have begun wearing saris that allow them to merge with the crowd.
This dress is used once the girl marries - usually by the age of 16 - but
is simply NOT being adopted by the younger generation. So it is a matter of time
before another tribal culture loses some elements of its identity totally.

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All photographs are owned by Jaina Mishra and are not to be used without permission.
If you wish to purchase any image in large formatwrite to jaina@wovensouls.com

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