Introduction
Indian Tribal Jewellery is a traditional form of Indian jewellery and is known for its rustic flavour. India is a country, blessed and endowed with a richtribal culture. The tribes of India have preserved the ancient crafts and arts of India with their ethnic pieces of jewellery. Ornaments used by the tribes stand out in a crowd because of its rustic and earthy flavour. They make jewellery from the indigenous items that are available locally. Moreover the jewellery they prepare exhibit their artistic skill in a profound manner. The appeal of the tribal jewellery is mainly due to its chunky and unrefined look.
Features of Indian Tribal Jewellery
Tribal Jewellery communicates a lot regarding the status of the individual who wears it, since these represent the socio-cultural traditions of those tribal groups. The materials which they commonly use to prepare the wonderful pieces of jewellery are wood, shells, bone, clay and some crude metals. Sometimes they also use hairs of animals in a painted form. The shapes which they use are basic and very close to the ethnic Indian art.
Indian Tribal Jewellery for Men
However, jewelleries are not only worn by women, certain ornaments are also worn only by the men from particular sections of a given tribe. Among the eastern Rengma Nagas, the men wear flowers in their ears, red being the favourite colour. The men of the Angami Tribe of Nagaland wear green fern or other foliage in their hair knots.
The tribal jewellery is the illustrations of skilled Indian dexterity even among the backward tribes and at the same time the jewellery used by the tribal people are a heritage to the Indian land. The increasing popularity of Tribal jewelleries has made them wardrobe staples these days.
Tribal Jewellery of North India
Tribal Jewellery of India is much varied, in the use of materials, which include lac, glass, shells and beads. Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and the tribal zones in northern India are renowned for ornaments in silver, and a particular type of alloy called pewter, that imitates silver. Tribal Jewellery is rarely uniform in shape. Perhaps it is the irregularities that contribute to making them a part of heritage and hip-hop cult. Tribal jewelry is not very expensive.
Tribal Jewellery of Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is known for exquisite skills in silver craft. The Pahari women, till date are very fond of coin jewellery, as well as jewellery made of glass, beads, etc. Tribal jewellery is the trademark of this state.
Tribal Jewellery of Kashmir
The fancy silver necklace from Kashmir is noted for its big central pendant carrying embossed decoration, it has four cylindrical silver amulet boxes carrying unique levels of decoration.
Tribal Jewellery of Ladakh
The most recognizable ornament of women of Ladakh is an attractive headgear called "Perak", studded with semi precious turquoise stones, covering the head like a cobra"s hood and tapering to a thin tail reaching down the back. The tribal jewellery of Ladakh mainly consists of fi (amber), churu (coral), yu (turquoise) and tiny seed pearls made into necklaces and earrings.
Tribal Jewellery of Rajasthan
The tribal Jewellery of Rajasthan is of high grade silver pendant from Rajasthan that has nicely embossed decoration on the front side. The pendant being struck by a black cotton cord weighs a good 31 gram.
Banjaras of Rajasthan are known for their colorful jewellery as much as their costumes. The unique element of distinction is the use of shells, beads, chains and metal mesh that make amulets, anklets, bangles, bracelets look rustic and earthy.
Tribal Jewellery of West Indian States
Tribal jewellery in India is quite rich. Each tribe has kept its unique style of jewellery intact even now. There is jewellery for each and every occasion, for age as well as region. Tribals of western India will always be adorned with chunky jewellery that accentuates their beauty. Jewellery that is made of bone, wood, clay, shells and crude metal, by tribals, is not only attractive, but also holds a distinct rustic charm.
Tribal Jewellery of Gujarat
Gujarat is a state that has its own, exclusive way of ornamentation. The armlet, though found to be worn by some tribal women in Gujarat as well, has a special association with ornamentation in Rajasthan. Kunbi women wore a mass of heavy ornaments as they believed that whatever is worn must be seen.
Tribal Jewellery of Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, there is a big change in the way tribal women use jewellery. The tribal jewellery of this region is the major attraction. The adornment fashioned from flowers, leaves, stones of creepers are unbelievably charming, shells, seeds and berries being the most celebrated.
Tribal Jewellery of Central Indian States
Tribal Jewellery of the states of Central India is famous all over India for its exquisite designing. Simply clad in a cotton saree and bejewelled with intricate pieces of necklaces, bangles, heavy silver anklets and toe rings bedeck them in all its glory. The rural and tribal women folk of Malwa, Nimar and Bastar regions are exceptionally fond of ornaments, and both men and women wear ornaments.
Tribal Jewellery of Central India is made of silver, beads, cowries, metals and feather. Tikamgarh, Jhabua and Sheopur Kalan are the main regions where the tribal jewelleries are made. Even the tribal men of the central India adorn themselves with the ornaments. These tribal craftsmen passed their skill from one generation to the other and hence the art stayed in the family.
Tribal Jewellery of Madhya Pradesh
The tribes of Bastar, Madhya Pradesh make jewellery out of grass, beads and cane. Traditional ornaments made of silver, wood, glass, peacock feathers, copper and wild flowers are popular. Chains made of one-rupee coins are also worn by the Bastar women.
Tribal Jewellery of Chhattisgarh
The tribal women of Chhattisgarh love to wear ornaments made of cowries, shells, bones, mixed metals, copper and bronze. Ornaments are considered as one of the main items of the handicrafts of Chhattisgarh. The tribal people of Chhattisgarh region are engaged in the making of ornaments. These ornaments are an indispensable part of the tribal attire.
Tribal Jewellery of East India
Tribal Jewellery of East Indian states is gaining its unique signature style in India. The tribes in India follow a different culture. The jewellery that is worn by the tribes of East India has a huge role to play in the history of Indian jewellery making. The jewellery that the tribes in Indian carry is made from the locally available materials like wood, shells, bones, clays and crude metals.
Stated as one form of the ethnic Indian art, Indian tribal jewellery is the most unique form of jewellery available in India. It is rusty and the colour defines the flavour of tribal culture in the country. Because of their designs and uniqueness of colour and flavour, its demand has increased even more.
The East Indian tribal jewellery contains items like rings, necklaces, earrings, bangles, etc. and also body jewellery like belts, anklets, etc. All this jewellery is very heavy and rustic to look.
Tribal Jewellery of Odisha
Dhokra is a well-known tribal form of art from Odisha that brings a terrific range of artifacts. Dhokra is the art of metal crafts amongst some aboriginal tribes of eastern India.
Tribal Jewellery of Jharkhand
Jharkhand tribal jewellery includes hasuli, thela, tarpat, pahuchi, mandli, jhumka, matar rola, Sikri and Kadhas are very common among them. The tribal people wear a variety of jewellery made from natural resources and also from bell-metal and brass.
Tribal Jewellery of Bihar
Bihar has a rich tradition of jewellery making. Tribals wear a variety of jewellery made of natural materials as also from bell metal and brass, especially as anklets and bracelets. Delicate earrings worked in filigree with various designs are worn by the Santhal women.
Tribal Jewellery of North-East India
The Seven Sister states of North East are the contiguous states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Except for Assam and Tripura, the region has a predominantly tribal population. Tribal women use necklaces, headbands, bracelets and belts not just as an embellishment, but also as a sign of prestige as they believe that jewellery enhances their womanhood. Jewellery is also a form of distinguishing each tribe.
Tribal Jewellery of Arunachal Pradesh
There are around 20 major tribes and sub-tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. These tribes are famous for exquisite jewellery made from materials such as beads, wild seeds, feathers of birds, green wings of beetles, brass, bones, ivory, silver and gold. The Wancho tribe creates earrings made out of bamboo, cane, glass beads, seeds, and reed. The Karka Gallong tribal group wears metal coin necklaces and leather waistbands with stones. Nishi tribesmen have a unique headdress decorated with feathers of the great hornbill bird. The Apatani tribe is the only group that forges iron bracelets made by the blacksmiths.
Tribal Jewellery of Assam
Assam has a rich tradition of manufacturing gold jewellery dating back several centuries. A tribe called "Sonowal Kacharis" was involved in gold extraction from the rivers. The Assamese tribal jewellery design mostly depicts local floral and fauna. The designs are simple but use gemstones such as ruby.
Tribal Jewellery of Manipur
The jewelleries of Manipur exhibit real rich traditions. Precious metals like gold and silver go into the making of Manipuri jewelleries. Every jewellery piece is marked by precision, intricacy and elaborate designs. Women from Manipur are fond of wearing their most traditional jewelleries like Likchow or Kantha, Khownappi, Liksoi and many more.
Tribal Jewellery of Meghalaya
Tribal Jewellery in Meghalaya is so important that it is worn both by men and women. Skillfully crafted ornaments of gold, silver and beads form part of Meghalaya"s rich costumes. The gold beads are hollow spheres filled with lac.
Tribal Jewellery of Mizoram
About 95 percent of current Mizoram population is of diverse tribal origins. This is the highest concentration of tribal people among all states of India. The Mizo tribals make use of shells, bones, animal claws, teeth and semi-precious stones for jewellery.
Tribal Jewellery of Nagaland
Jewellery is an important part of Naga identity, with the entire tribe wearing similar bead jewellery. Nagas use beads with variety, profusion and complexity in their jewellery, along with a wide range of materials, including glass, shell, stone, teeth or tusk, claws, horns, metal, bone, wood, seeds, hair and fibre.
Tribal Jewellery of Sikkim
Sikkimese tribal jewellery depicts different tastes of the 3 ethnic groups of the state. Lepcha men don"t wear any jewellery except amulets given by monks. Bhutia women wear necklaces of various designs. All ornaments are made of gold and studded with precious stones and dzi.
Tribal Jewellery of Tripura
The Kokborok speaking Tripuri people are the major group among 19 tribes and many sub-tribes. Jewellery making is an essential form of Tripura"s arts and crafts. The tribals use various materials such as bronze, silver and copper to make ornaments like necklaces, earrings, rings, nose rings and bangles. The most well-known of Tripura jewellery is necklace made with coins.
Indian Tribal Jewellery of Different Regions
Various tribes in India use different types of jewellery to adorn themselves. Sometimes it is found that may be they are scantily clothed but they have ample jewellery on their bodies. Even tattoo is an attractive form of jewellery created by some tribal groups.
The tribe of Bastar District in Madhya Pradesh uses a lot of grass, beads and cane to prepare their unique jewellery. Traditional ornaments made out of silver, wood, peacock feathers, glass, copperand wild flowers are also commonly used by the tribes of Bastar. Sometimes the women of the Bastar tribe are seen wearing necklaces made out of one rupee coin It portrays the culture of Bastar District.
Similarly, the Banjara Tribe is a group of nomadic people in Rajasthan. The use of colourful, heavy jewellery is very popular among them. They make ornaments and a variety of belts which are heavily embossed with metal-mesh, coins, beads, shells and chains.
The Tribes of Meghalaya like the Khasi, Jaintia and the Garo Tribes are known for their exclusive creation of jewellery. The Khasi and the Jaintia tribes mainly use thick red coral bead necklaces and the Garo on the other hand are identified with thread strung thin fluted stems of glass. The Bhutias of Sikkim use the traditional gold to make jewellery. Along with gold they also use metals like silver, zee stones, turquoiseand coral.
The Tribes of Arunachal Pradeshon the other hand use ivory, gold, bone, brass, silver and gold for making their beautiful pieces of ornaments. They also use blue feathers from birds, green wings of beetles and beads to decorate their ornaments. The Wancho Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh wear earrings made of glass bead, cane, reed, bamboo and wild seeds whereas the Gallong women wear heavy iron rings in their ears which are coiled several times. They also wear necklaces made from metal coins and leather belts which are heavily studded with beads.
