TRIBAL JEWELRY
Tribal Jewelry in India is know to be quite rich. Each tribe in the country in the different parts of it has kept its unique style of jewelry. The original format of Tribal Jewelry design has been preserved since long ages by ethnic tribals. Tribal Jewelry is mostly made of bone, wood, clay, shells and crude metal by the tribes which is not only attractive, but also holds a distinct rustic and earthy charm.
Tribal jewelry is made of the products which are easily available locally for the tribal pople. The unrefined look is the most astonishing feature of the Jewelry which is something that attracts people most. Each tribe has its own indigenous jewelry which is its traditional craft.
Banjara
Banjara is the nomadic tribe of Rajasthan which is known for its colorful heavy jewelry. The beautiful ornaments and belts that are embellished with shells, metal-mesh, coins, beads, and chains are major jewelry art work by the Banjaras. The tribal people provide huge collection of earrings, bracelets, bangles, amulets, anklets, hairpins and necklaces.
Bastar
The Bastar Tribe (Madhya Pradesh) makes jewelry out of grass, beads and cane. Traditional ornaments here are made of silver, wood, glass, peacock feathers, copper and wild flowers are also popular ones. Necklaces which are made of one-rupee coins are also worn by the Bastar women.
Arunachal Pradesh
Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh make jewelry which is made out of cane and bamboo. They also specially adorn metal coin necklaces and waistbands of leather, studded with stones. These tribes in the Arunachal Pradesh mostly use brass, bone, ivory, silver and gold in their jewelry too. In addition, colorful beads, blue feathers of birds, green wings of beetles are used to make ornaments. Karka Gallong women here wear heavy iron rings that are coiled several times, while Wanchos make earrings of glass beads, wild seeds, cane, bamboo and reed.
Khasi, Jaintia and Garo
The people of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes have typical and traditional sense of jewelry art. Thick red coral bead necklaces of the Khasis and Jaintias and thin fluted stems of glass strung by fine thread of the Garo tribe are interesting tribal jewelry items.
Bhutia
The Bhutia tribe of Sikkim are also been known for making beautiful tribal jewelry. The people of this tribe usually make use of gold, silver, coral, turquoise and zee stone for making jewelry.