Indian Tribal Jewellery: A Journey through Culture and Tradition

The tribal peoples are often referred to as “Adivasis,” which means “original inhabitants of a particular area.” Each tribe has its traditions, clothing, language, and jewelry. The rarity of tribal jewellery is prized by many because it differs from conventionally produced jewelry. 

Tribal jewelry has a distinct earthy appeal.

India has a rich tribal culture that, through modernization, has maintained its unique traditions and values. Tribal jewelry can be described as eclectic, earthen, and funky, while ethnic jewelry can be described as arty, refined, and timeless. Most of the tribes’ raw materials were restricted to shells, claws, animal jaws, ivory, wood, and other natural products locally available.

So what are the characteristics of Tribal Jewelry?????

"Tribal jewelry is one of the most unique and attractive forms of jewelry in India. People from every corner of India inculcate their culture in these ornaments and give them a beautiful look."

Tribal jewelry communicates a lot about the wearer’s status in the group, his wealth and possessions, spiritual beliefs, and even functional habits. Thus, apart from depicting a customarily idealized appearance, the ornaments give a brief glimpse into the socio-cultural traditions of a particular group.

India has been a country endowed with a diverse tribal culture, which despite the pressure of modernization has preserved its traditions and values even today. A brief glimpse of social and cultural traditions in tribal jewelry is their great feature. In olden times there were different ornaments to adorn various parts of the body.

It is certified that beautiful handmade ornaments were also found in the excavations of the sites of Mohenjodaro and Indus Valley Civilization. At the same time, detailed descriptions of these ornaments and their mysterious powers are also mentioned in Mahabharata and Ramayana.

History of Tribal Jewellery

The history of jewelry has time and again inspired a lot of gold and contemporary jewelry makers to come up with lovely and intricate designs in modern times. However, whenever it comes to the history of jewelry, it is very confusing and difficult to classify, as the forms of jewelry used in this period were very different from the ones we are used to. The oldest form of jewelry discovered in the Indian continent is described as ancient jewelry. Antique jewelry includes earrings, beads, amulets, seals, amulets, and more.

In the 3rd century BC, India was a major exporter of gems and gems, especially diamonds. This practice continued till the Mughal period. It is not known when the jewelry was first used, but the remains of ornaments made from snails found in the Blombos caves of South Africa are evidence that the existence of jewelry existed more than 100 thousand years ago. Ancient ornaments were made of animal teeth, bones, oysters, ivory, carved stone, and wood. Metal jewelry existed even before 5000 BC.

Modern clothing, fashion, and imitation jewelry began in the 17th century. The travelers who came to ancient India were very surprised to see the gems here.

Now let's dive into the tribal jewelry from different Indian states-

India is a country that is known all over the world for its tradition, culture, dress, and jewelry. There are many such tribes in India, which have their unique style.

• Bastar– The tribes of Bastar, a district in Madhya Pradesh, make jewelry from grass and pearls. Intricate ornaments and objects made of silver, wood, glass, peacock feathers, copper, and wildflowers are also famous. They are also involved in coin jewelry.
• Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo– The tribal people living in the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo regions have a good and sophisticated understanding of the art of jewelry. Necklaces and glasses of thick red coral beads of the Khasi and Jaintias of the Garo tribe, tied with fine thread, etc., present quite a beautiful specimen.
• Bhutia– The Bhutia tribe belonging to Sikkim is also known for creating attractive and intricate, beautiful designs of jewelry. They usually use gold, silver, coral, and turquoise for their jewelry. Bhutia men and women are culturally fond of gold; only 24-carat gold is used exclusively in making Bhutia jewelry.
• Nomadic– Banjara is a nomadic tribe of Rajasthan that is popular for their colorful and heavy jewelry. Among the jewelry made by this tribe are shells, metal mesh, coins, beads, and chains to make beautiful jewelry and belts. This tribe offers a wonderful collection of earrings, bracelets, bangles, amulets, and anklets.
• Wacho Tribe– The tribal of Arunachal Pradesh incorporates naturally available resources such as seeds, beetles, feathers, bamboo, and cane to decorate their ornaments. Karka Galong Tribe: The women of this group adorn the immaculately crafted coils of iron rings as earrings to complement the metal embossed leather belts. Also, their ornamentation is heavily studded with pearls.
• Agami Tribes- The Nagaland men of this tribal group decorate their hair with green ferns and leaves. It gives a very natural look and shows the closeness of nature and its surroundings.
• Himachali tribe– Himachali oval anklets, iron-headed bangles, and ornate daggers are trendy all over the world for their uniqueness. In addition, traditional collars such as silver hansalis, silver chokers called kachas, and silver bangles filled with shellac are commonly worn by the hill women of Himachal. Besides its aesthetics, Himachalis believe silver jewelry protects the decorator from evil spirits.
• Hill Maria Tribes- Traditionally, the tribal jewelers of Chhattisgarh used copper wire, brass, and iron (now, gold and silver) with natural seed, bone or wooden ornamentation, as a kind of plaque, collar, Lace, square-bar was for preparing anklets, trinkets, rings. and many more. Conical twin-top earrings and nose rings from the Hill Maria tribe are quite popular.
• Tribes of Maukhali- Bengali Tikli (worn on the forehead), Kan (traditional earrings), Chik (gold choker), Hansuli, Mantasha, and Dokra are known for their exemplary craftsmanship. These jewelry are made using gold, silver, precious stones, and wooden beads, all of which are exquisite in style.
• Halba tribe– This group of tribes uses metals like gold, silver, brass, and aluminum to make Sundar Khosa (a beautiful lock of braid), Khinwas (for ear piercing), and Phuli (for nose piercing). Also, tattoo ornaments are very common among the people of this tribal group.
• Santhal Tribe– They are a tribe of Bihar, Filigree motif earrings, kardhani (worn around the waist), and chuda bangles of Santhal are the symbols of ethnicity. Also, her shimmering jhumkis are popular all over the world.
• Konda Kapu Tribe– The Konda Kapu tribe, in Karnataka, uses silver and copper coins to make stunning jewelry. Since these ornaments are made using old Indian coins, they are always sought after by antique collectors. Necklaces made of 25 paise and 50 paise coins are usually worn by the women of the group.

From the intricate design of the Chamba rumaal to the royalty of the Hansuli necklace, our ancient tribal jewelry is a testament to our glorious past.

India’s Tribal jewelry heritage is an art form that is alive and vibrant today, and embraced by the fashionable set across the globe., every region across the length and breadth of the land has unique jewelry designs produced by the ethnic tribal populations of a particular area. 

In light of urbanization and modernization, holding onto the essence of our traditional roots and heritage has become increasingly important. Therefore, our alluring tribal jewelry history has intrigued and amazed people over generations and continues to do so. 

#youcannotavoidhistory

References-

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