An array of Jewels in Tribal shelf

The talk about ethnic jewelery gets its essence with a tribal folk. Give a close look at their wardrobe and you will find ample of ornaments made of a variety of metals. Just as their language and rituals define their culture and religion, so do their dressing style. The tribal are well known for covering their bare body parts with heavy ornaments, tattoos and animal furs is maintaining a timeworn tradition.

History has marked the resemblance of tribal community with primitive existence, of which many resides in India. A snippet of the tribal study depicts a brief of junky jewelery enlisted below -

Khosa- a beautiful braid lock meant for stylizing the hair.
Khinwa - a pair of ear tops mostly made of brass, silver and aluminum
Phui - a nose ring big enough to touch the lip-line
Karipot - a grant decorated with shells, beads, silver and at times animal horns and teeth. Other necklace type are the Chapsari, Muhar Mala and Hansli
Chude/Chudiya - the big bangles made of silver, brass, gold,wood and aluminum

The custom of wearing the typical dangling jewelery highlights their age-old belief in magic or evil works. In the North-eastern Region of India, both men and women are found decorating themselves from head to toe, specially during the festival. Some tribes continue their daily dressing with must have one like tikli in Santal and Oraon, bangles & anklets among Chamka, and Khosa among Garo community.

Today, tribal jewelery has entered into the world of fashion and each one of us is opting for tribal custom, with or without knowledge.