Red ochre

[Dean Anderson]

Dear Geoffrey,

Thank you for this fascinating observation. I have read a large
percentage of the writings about the IVC by mainstream scholars and this
is the first time I have heard this mentioned. It illustrates the
importance mentioned in another thread of not letting our preconceptions
color our interpretations.

Red ochre is found very widely across a vast region of the old world
during that time period. It covers so many cultures that I don't think
it could be attributed to any one of what we would consider separate
ethnic/ideological groups like Harappans (IVC), Mesopotamian, Aryans
(however you define that), Indo-Europeans, etc.

It is common among burials of that time. Of course, we find it in modern
India when it is applied to sacred idols. These may not be connected at
all and may simply be due to something as mundane as its bright color.

Has anyone seen any discussion of red ochre in this wider context or
what it might have symbolized? I have puzzled about it for years.

The interpretation that immediately springs to mind is red = blood =
vitality, life force, spirit. But this harks back to the early writings
of the times of Frazer and so much of those early theories have been
shown to be mistaken.

Dean Anderson

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Indology [mailto:INDOLOGY at liverpool.ac.uk] On Behalf Of
>Geoffrey Samuel
>Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 10:39 AM
>To: INDOLOGY at liverpool.ac.uk
>Subject: Red ochre on IVC figurines
>
>
>A brief note on the "practice among women of wearing red ochre
>in the part of their hair". This has become one of the more
>frequently cited continuities between IVC and later Indic
>cultures and is (as far as I
>know) based on the red ochre visible in the hair-parting of
>Indus Valley figurines of women.
>
>I was able to look at a number of these figurines a couple of
>years ago, at Theresa McCullough's gallery in London, and it
>seems that (1) the red ochre is found on both male and female
>figurines, and (2) there are traces of red ochre all over the
>body of the figurines, not just in the hair parting.
>
>This suggests, rather to my disappointment I must admit, that
>the red ochre on the figurines may be nothing to do with the
>modern practice of married women placing sindhur in their hair
>parting. Any comments?
>
>Geoffrey
>
>>Date:    Tue, 21 Dec 2004 04:50:05 -0600
>>From:    Dean Anderson <dean_anderson at SACARI.ORG>
>>Subject: Re: IVC on Indology list
>
>[etc]
>
>>
>>A few examples: the Harappan weight system is still used in India
>>today. A field at the Harappan city of Kalibangan was ploughed in
>>distinct way still in use in that part of South Asia. There are
>>undeniable connections between designs of carts, boats,
>clothing styles
>>including the practice among women of wearing red ochre in
>the part of
>>their hair;
>
>
>--
>
>Geoffrey Samuel and Santi Rozario, School of Religious and
>Theological Studies, Cardiff University, Humanities Building,
>Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, Wales UK Tel. (029) 2087 4240.
>Fax +44-29-2087 4500.
>e-mail: Geoffrey.Samuel at newcastle.edu.au,
>Santi.Rozario at newcastle.edu.au Web site at
>http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~mbbgbs
>