Zebu Bull figure – Dhokra Bronze – Orissa – India

This tribal brass cast zebu, or humped Indian bull would have been an important part of daily ritual for a Kondh (also spelt “Khond”) family. These statues are sometimes referred to as water buffalo and are from the Kandhamal district of Orissa (modern-day Odisha).

The zebu has been revered in India since Harrapan times (6 millennia ago) and was often seen as the progenitor and impregnator of the earth. The Gonds / Khonds / Kondhs once made human sacrifices to the earth goddess (Tari Pennu or Bera Pennu) as part of the Meriah festival to ensure good crops. This was later changed to the sacrifice of bulls hence the significance of this piece.

This casting is made using the traditional Dokra technique. Dokra Damar tribes are the traditional metalsmiths of West Bengal. Their technique of lost wax casting is named after their tribe. The tribe can be found across India extending from Bihar to West Bengal and Orissa.

Dokra – also spelt Dhokra, is a brass or bronze casting made using the lost wax technique.

Provenance: former private collection from Germany