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In parts of India, men covered in white stuff?

I've seen like pictures in encyclopedias and some movies. What is this white stuff? is it flour? white powder? Do these types of Indians have a name? is it part of a tribe or something?

my whole life, i've always wondered about this but I can't research it because i don't know the name for this type of person or tribe, so i don't know what it is i'm suppose to google.... what is this white stuff? 

5 Answers

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  • 1 week ago

    I'd tell you but I can't as I don't know what it is I'm supposed to Google, you utter twit.

  • xyzzy
    Lv 7
    1 week ago

    Most likely you are asking about Holi, which is a Hindu spring festival.  It originated and is predominantly celebrated in Nepal & India but has also spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent. The "white stuff" is called kumkuma and is a powder used for social and religious markings in India. It comes in many colors. Holi is sometimes called the festival of colors. During Holi people smear each other with colors and drench each other. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used to play and color each other. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children, and elders. The frolic and fight with colors occurs in the open streets, parks, outside temples and buildings. Groups carry drums and other musical instruments, go from place to place, sing and dance. People visit family, friends and foes come together to throw colored powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks

  • Tina
    Lv 7
    2 weeks ago

    If you mean the naked holy men - Yogis and Sadus - they are covered in white ash.

    Ed. To the two people who suggested Kumkuma, the main characteristic of this is that it *isn't white.*

  • 2 weeks ago

    Most likely Kumkuma, a powder made from tumeric.  Additional information below.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumkuma

  • 2 weeks ago

    White guys can't black-up but they can white-up.

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