First I hope in no way this post is perceived as offensive, I am simply ignorant of the apparent tradition, and after trying to research and read a few hundred threads here, I am still none the wiser, so: What is the Indian snuff tradition with the “insert number” Photo branding, for example @sixphoto ? I mean, I see the package, it has the requisite number of pictures, so is it that simple? Or culturally does the number have significance? Is this something that extends into other areas of Indian culture, or is it a snuff thing? I am in a rural part of NC, but work in the capitol and have several Indian acquaintances, but the two i asked looked at me like I was simple… Thanks in advance for not trolling or being offensive - I am asking out of a purely educational purpose, and do not wish to either offend or tolerate others who would be offensive at the expense of others… (Also - My next big snuff order i am thinking will be heavily Indian snuff based - as an aside, recommendations appreciated … )
Simply, the pictures were traditionally used in order for illiterate people to identify which snuff they wanted to purchase. If they wanted 6Photo they could just count the pictures. Im not sure what the literacy rate is in India nowadays. Recommendations wise, 6Photo Kailash and Special, Dolakia Ganga and chocolate would be a good start imho!
Good recommendations above, I’ll add 41 Photo Himtaj Golden which is my favourite scented Indian snuff.
@Koba22 - interesting. Thanks !
@crullers @The_HP No problem, I asked about it a couple of years ago. Also, I second Himtaj Golden and would also recommend the Himtaj Black as well as the 7Photo Royal Gold, in the nose at the moment.
@ Koba22 Is Absolutely correct . Snuff culture in Northern India started in early 20th century when literacy rate in the country was very poor and the masses choose their snuff by just counting the pictures on the tin. @ THE_HP good to know you are keen on Indian snuff, you must try our flagship brands Kailash & special
@ Koba22 Is Absolutely correct . Snuff culture in Northern India started in early 20th century when literacy rate in the country was very poor and the masses choose their snuff by just counting the pictures on the tin. @ THE_HP good to know you are keen on Indian snuff, you must try our flagship brands Kailash & special
Interesting. To the latter part of my question, is this sales technique of branding used in other commodities, or it is a unique practice to snuff makers?
Realization of the vastness of one’s own ignorance is the first step on the road to true wisdom. – ME (via Shankara and Socrates)
Realization of the vastness of one’s own ignorance is the first step on the road to true wisdom. – ME (via Shankara and Socrates)
The Hillbilly Philosopher likes this .
Yes the numbers, they seems to be popular among different things ( not just snuff ) in countries that are home to a lot of people who can’t read. They probably do it with drinks and snacks too. Plenty of Americans can’t even read also Ive heard something like 50% of the earths population doesn’t even know the sun is a star. It’s not their fault though some people just don’t have the resources to educate themselves. Which is exactly why I get annoyed if/when I see ignorant Americans. They have all the resources and no excuses. I’ve Grown up here all my life and was born here so I’m not being harsh it’s just the reality I see
Realization of the vastness of one’s own ignorance is the first step on the road to true wisdom. – ME (via Shankara and Socrates)
@howdydave: “If you were half as smart as you thought you were, you wouldn’t think you were so smart.” (roughly the same sources, give or take a few deviations) Regarding the “number of photos” thing, in Indonesia, where we used to have similarly large numbers of illiterate people, the trend was to use animal symbols – so people used to ask for, and I’m not making this up, “rat brand” soy sauce. I guess snake and tiger were already taken.
Realization of the vastness of one’s own ignorance is the first step on the road to true wisdom. – ME (via Shankara and Socrates)
@howdydave: “If you were half as smart as you thought you were, you wouldn’t think you were so smart.” (roughly the same sources, give or take a few deviations) Regarding the “number of photos” thing, in Indonesia, where we used to have similarly large numbers of illiterate people, the trend was to use animal symbols – so people used to ask for, and I’m not making this up, “rat brand” soy sauce. I guess snake and tiger were already taken.
There’s a quote it goes along the lines of " I know nothing because I know everything " We are all ignorant but just at different stages. That’s the fun of being human. Most of us know enough to understand the day a wise man starts claiming he is wise is the day he no longer contains any wisdom! However we are cursed with the allure of knowledge. To seek out the light in the dark or to seek out an answer to a question.
“Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another.” -Ambrose Bierce Couldn’t help myself
@lunecat that stamp forManchester cotton mills is very similar to the flag/crest of the country of Mexico I wonder if there is a connection? It seems plausable considering that there are likely very few prickly pear cacti, rattlesnakes or eagles around Manchester, UK: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Coat\\_of\\_arms\\_of\\_Mexico.svg/1129px-Coat\\_of\\_arms\\_of\\_Mexico.svg.png
@Ivan I thought the same thing - very Mexican - ish. Would make a nice mold for a ring, no?
… There’s a quote it goes along the lines of
Quotation, not quote.
Albert Einstein was a terrible writer in both English and his native tongue German. Also Ever heard of " Alfred mosher butts? " He was a horrid speller and writer and what did he create? Ironically He created scrabble. I kid you not. I’m not comparing myself to them I’m just suggesting that the focus be on the context of the words and ideas not the letters themselves
Yes the numbers, they seems to be popular among different things ( not just snuff ) in countries that are home to a lot of people who can’t read. They probably do it with drinks and snacks too. Plenty of Americans can’t even read also Ive heard something like 50% of the earths population doesn’t even know the sun is a star. It’s not their fault though some people just don’t have the resources to educate themselves. Which is exactly why I get annoyed if/when I see ignorant Americans. They have all the resources and no excuses. I’ve Grown up here all my life and was born here so I’m not being harsh it’s just the reality I see
I also wanted to clarify my statement above. ^ Stupidity to me are people who have the resources to learn but refuse it. You’ll never see me make the same mistake twice once I know I’m wrong. However some people don’t want to learn and I’m talking about just basic fundamental things here not neuroscience lol
To me stupidity is the inability to put two and two together, you can be very knowledgeable but your still stupid if you don’t know how to use that knowledge. Ignorance is the absence of knowledge, stupidity is the absence of logic. Edited in response to a post below: You either use knowledge or you do not, even “incorrectly” using knowledge is still using it. Only those who directly benefit or suffer from the use of that knowledge are in a position to say if it was used correctly.
There is a difference between stupidity & Ignorance.
I don’t see where I said they were the same thing? Maybe you should read it over again
To me stupidity is the inability to put two and two together, you can be very knowledgeable but your still stupid if you don’t know how to use that knowledge. Ignorance is the absence of knowledge, stupidity is the absence of logic.
" You can be very knowledgeable but your still stupid if you don’t know how to " use " that knowledge. " I agree to a point but also argue what you’re saying is subjective. Who gets to judge if they are using their knowledge correctly by your standard, People who nit pick at words or think stupidity can be summed up in a few sentences will be very disappointed. For lune. If you reread above you will see that I claim people who are ignorant by my standard can have resources to educate themselves about politics, science, racism, or just normal things. Things that help society or the human race and they just don’t. Or They either aren’t fortunate enough to have the resources or just too dim to care even if knowledge is all around them… But given the opportunity they Try*** Stupid people once again in my opinion refuse to learn. Note the word Refuse. I also don’t like calling people stupid for this very reason I’m about to explain In my opinion stupidity must be earned. It is not a title deemed by me or any of us
Lets get back to discussion about the photo tradition :-*
Lets talk about why I can’t get hold of a 15kg drum of Kailash as listed on 6Photos website. Damn you geography…
Whoo. Do they sell Cheetah in 15kg drums? Do they ship to Indonesia?
@JakartaBoy check this out: http://sixphotosnuff.com/snuff/?page\\_id=77 Unfortunately they don’t have a shop, they sell through distributors, but you could contact them direct. I think that Cheeta only goes up to 1kg packs. I say ‘only’, ha! If I could I would definately get at least 1kg of Kailash.
ergh…can we please get back to the topic? Why does everything have to descend into bitching? If people fish, please ignore it. That will make it a happier place for everyone. Thank you.
I shall take my own advice and ignore you @Cigshurtmylungs, thank you for completely missing the point.
Back to my post, as I keep thinking further - are the photos on the cans 9 understand I do not have any in my possession yet ) signifigant to the snuff itself, to history or culture? For example. mr @sixphoto - who are the Gentlemen portrayed on your cans I see in some of the listings?
On the 6Photo tin I have in front of me there are 2 sets of images featuring the 2 founding members of the company; Sh. Munshi Ram and Lala Gopal Dass. I think thats right…!
@Koba22 is right the pictures on the can are of the founders of the company - my grandfather Sh.Munshi ram & his brother Lala Gopal Dass If anyone is interested in buying bulk packs do write to mr.snuff, it can be arranged.
@sixphoto, good to hear that the business still remains in the family and that you are working hard to maintain and expand upon the achievements of your ancestors!
It’s an ancient form of what are now commonly known as “selfies”. The various multipliers; 6 Photo, 41 Photo, etc. are the result of too much, too often in the indulgence of mysterious herbal substances known only on the sub-continent, rumored to contain large amounts of cobra venom.
I only see one picture (drawing) of an elephant on my WE tins, even the 150g one where one could actually fit 41 photos. Perhaps it is because they are “For Export Only”?
Today, I learned that some poor slob was actually named Alfred Mosher Butts. A google search revealed he invented Scrabble. Poor bastiche.
4, 5, 6 and 7 Photo I can understand - if you can’t spell you can count, and even if you can’t count you can recognise a shape made the the pictures, but why 41 Photo - you’d have to have a pretty big tin and a patient clientele for that! Also, I love the country scenes on the tins, but are they representations of actual places, or an idealisation? Oh, and can you send a stick-on picture of either the ‘photos’ or the scenery with every tin that we can apply to that warning sign (except for the scorpion. I like the scorpion).
"“This same formula applies to the Photo snuffs. “‘Photograph’ brands were pretty common in India, not just on tobacco products,” Klein said. “The label would have a large photographed portrait of a revered or other notable person, and it would have smaller copies of the same portrait on the sides. One would count the number of photos to guess the brand name.”” Courtesy of Sir Nigel McCarren, Snuff Takers Ephemeris, Volume Five, Page 59 © 2012, Lucien Publishing
A slight aside, but when I visited Japan I asked why their products had such lurid branding. The reason was the same as mentioned above, in that due to the complexity of written Japanese, many of the older generation, especially in rural areas are functionally illiterate. People buy brands by the images, not the name or text. (Sorry if it was a little off topic).