TRIBAL JEWELLERY: AN ART OF SIMPLICITY

 

Introduction:

Tribal jewellery is one of the most unique and enchanting forms of jewellery in India. The original format of this jewellery design has been preserved by ethnic tribal communities. It is essentially Jewellery made of simple earthy materials like bone, wood, clay, shells and crude metal by tribals. Having an appealing look, it also holds a distinct rustic and earthy charm. The unrefined charm of this jewellery is something that lures people quite a bit.

 

History:

Since the ancient ages, tribal communities from across the globe have employed the use of jewellery. Different tribes from different parts of the world like Egypt, India, Africa and other regions used different materials to make jewellery and made different uses of it as well. Tribal jewellery was mostly made of materials like animal bones, teeth, ivory, stones, shells, wood and other such natural materials found in abundance.

 

Types of Tribal Jewellery:

1.) Banjara:

Banjara is a nomadic tribe of Rajasthan that is popularly known for its colourful and heavy jewellery. Major jewellery artworks done by this tribe include the making of mesmerizing adornments and belts from simple materials like shells, metal mesh, coins, beads, and chains. This tribe provides and houses an eccentric collection of earrings, bracelets, bangles, amulets, anklets and much more.

2.) Bastar:

The tribes of Bastar, a district in Madhya Pradesh, make jewellery out of grass and beads. Intricately designed jewellery and objects made of silver, wood, glass, peacock feathers, copper and wildflowers are also famous. They also indulge in coin jewellery.

3.) Khasi, Jaintia and Garo:

The tribal folk residing in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo regions have a good and refined sense of jewellery art. Thick red coral bead necklaces of the Khasi’s and Jaintia’s and thin fluted stems of glass, strung by a fine thread, of the Garo tribe are quite captivating pieces of art. The stand out factor about people from the Khasi tribal community is that they are identified from the mother and not the father like in other societies.

4.) Bhutia:

The Bhutia tribe belonging to Sikkim has also been known for making alluring and intricate, beautiful designs of jewellery. They usually make use of gold, silver, coral and turquoise for their jewellery. The Bhutia men and women both, culturally love gold and only 24 karat gold is used exclusively in making Bhutia jewellery.

Conclusion:

Tribal jewellery is no longer limited to close-knit tribal communities anymore. People all over the world are taken by the beauty and simple yet stand-out designs of this kind of jewellery. Tribal jewellery also comes in a variety of colour options so that you can choose what suits you the best. Tribal jewellery was once a simple art form limited to the communities it was created in but today, all communities, all kinds of people from all parts of the world have embraced this art with open arms.