Ramnami live in Chhattisgarh, a state located in Central India. They belong to a low-caste religious movement whose followers used to tattoo their entire bodies, including in some cases eyelids and tongue, with the name of Lord Ram.

This movement dates more than a century and started as an act of nonviolent resistance against the rejection of the untouchables in India. These out-caste were not allowed to enter temples and worship Hindu gods, therefore the Ramnamis covered their bodies with the name of Ram. They wanted to turn their bodies into temples demonstrating that God is omnipresent and attainable to everyone.

People get tattooed at different ages mostly during childhood or before marriage. The ink is prepared with locally sourced ingredients and the tattoo is realized by a designated member of the community.

Nowadays there are only few living members of the community who are fully covered with tattoos. Some others have the name of Ram tattoed either on their face or forehead or chest. Those who are not tattoed still decorate their houses or use fabrics with Ramnam imprinted on it.