Portret van een onbekende man en vrouw van de Holeya-kaste uit Kodagu before 1875

This is an albumen print by G. Richter, titled "Portret van een onbekende man en vrouw van de Holeya-kaste uit Kodagu". The photograph offers a glimpse into the lives of the Holeya people, a marginalized community within the Hindu caste system of Kodagu, India. The subjects are rendered anonymous, emblematic of the broader societal invisibility and lack of recognition afforded to lower-caste individuals. The Holeya community has historically faced systemic discrimination and social exclusion, often relegated to the lowest rungs of the caste hierarchy. This image might have been created in the context of ethnographic studies or colonial documentation, reflecting the power dynamics inherent in the representation of marginalized groups by dominant cultures. What does it mean to have your image taken, yet remain unknown? Perhaps it speaks to the enduring struggle for recognition and dignity experienced by marginalized communities worldwide.