Shrine of Baghesur Dev

Gouache on paper, 32 x 40 cm, 350 USD

The Baghesur Dev or Tiger God is the most important deity for my tribe, the Baigas. We construct a small shrine in the village and pray to him. He protects us from the real tigers. We believe that when a tiger on the prowl sees that he is being worshipped, he will not harm us.

The Baiga tribe is one of several hundred adivasis, the “first inhabitants” of India who mostly live in remote, difficult to reach regions of the country.