This document provides an overview of the Warli tribe and their cultural traditions. It describes how the Warli communicate through their art, which depicts aspects of their lives and respect for nature. It outlines how the Warli have historically been hunter-gatherers and forest dwellers who now practice sustenance farming. Their villages are built around wells at the edge of forests, and their huts use natural materials. The document also highlights traditional Warli practices like certain farming techniques and dances. It discusses how Warli art in the form of paintings and murals tells stories of their customs and ways of life. The goal of the document is to archive and document Warli tribal culture.

1. A WARLI WORLD VIEW
A DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION
INTACH DAHANU CHAPTER
DAHANU, MAHARASHTRA
By Phiroza Tafti
Convenor
INTACH Dahanu Chapter

2. CULTURAL HERITAGE and
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

3. Warli Art is their language to
communicate in story form about their
lives

4. Celebration with dance in an open circle
shows the cycle of life and death
Warli paintings always show creatures
and portray their respect for nature
Warli Art shows their relationship with life

5. Hunters and gatherers -> cultivators
Originally a forest community Now do sustenance farming

6. Warli ‘padas’ built around a well at the
edge of the forest

7. Warli huts made from natural
materials
Original huts with fibre thatched
roof Sturdy shelters made from reeds

8. Warlis have practiced and preserved
traditions of the early agriculturists
Ploughing with the wooden “hal”
“rab” practice of burning leaves
kills the seeds of the weeds

9. A Warli Family- Janu the painter
Warli artists can afford ‘pakka’
homes Janu at work – an inborn talent

10. Warlis working as farm labourers

11. Warlis’ demonstrating their traditional
dances
The traditional dances & Rangoli The TARPA dance today

12. “Waghiya” temples and totem poles of
wood or stone to communicate with
spirits and dieties

13. Sustainable living is part of warli
philosophy
Warlis live off the land- ingenious
fishing nets built on rivers
No stream is too small to catch their
dinner- main source of protein

14. Warli paintings as murals adorning
walls- telling the story of their customs
Lagna Chowk replete with
symbols Murals tell their life stories

15. Supplementary Income
Selling Paddy Stalks Toddy Tapping

16. Filming on location – daily life of
artists

17. Interacting with students who learn
from first hand observation
Sensitizing the students as to the
background of this unique community
Exploring the surroundings to get a
feel of the rural setting

18. Hands-on Experiential learning
Visiting villages and becoming
curious Getting the feel of local practices

19. Students documenting for project
reports- a different perspective
Thoughtful recording of events
and experiences
Informal observation and asking the
kids point of view

20. Educational initiatives – digital
documentation with broader context
Respecting the “Bhagat” or religious
medium at the sacred grove site
Interviewing the locals to their personal
feelings on changing scenarios

21. A picture explains customs in vivid
detail
Women sit in groups to mourn a
death
A family walk to and fro daily to the
fields with cattle and kids

22. Changing practices and transitions…..
Home deliveries with a mid wife Girls being sent to school

23. Marriage rituals rooted in tradition
The Bhagat doing the puja
Marriage procession- modern
style

24. Vibrant living Traditions
The backless choli and 9 yard sari
Sacred Groves- worshipping stones to
communicate with spirits via a “Bhagat”

26. WARLI Tribal culture is a heritage too
precious to be lost- let us Archive it!