Tribal Jewelry and its Cultural References

Tribal Jewelry

Much labor goes into the creation of handcrafted tribal jewelry. Ethnic artisans create decorative necklaces, earrings, bangles and various other kinds of body jewelry. Theirs is a traditional craft. It is a legacy, handed down from one generation to another. Bone and metal necklaces, resin bangles, bone stretch bracelets, hinge bracelets, horn necklaces and earrings, are handcrafted from materials such as clay, wood, metal, shell, beads, and bones.

How is Tribal Jewelry Made?

Tribal jewelry created in various ways out of many substances. A few examples are provided below.

Bone Body Jewelry

Bone Body Jewelry is made from animal bones. It is polished and processed in different shapes and sizes that look amazing. These are made into globule of different sizes. A bone pendant comes in variety of jewelries such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings. Such jewelries are crafted using animal bones such as cows and buffalos. Most tribal jewelry is now fashioned from by-products of the food industry, such as cow or sheep bones. Most bones come from India and are decorated with handmade designs.

Agate Stone Jewelry

Agate Stone Jewelry is made of semi-precious natural agate stones. The stones are different colors, and assorted shapes and sizes. There are Agate stone beaded bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, and brooches.

What do the Designs Represent?

Just as the silver ring is a traditional symbol of fidelity, love and commitment in American tradition, many of the designs in tribal jewelry have special meanings, tell a traditional story, symbolize the history of a tribe, or represent a common value. Each ethnic group has symbols that represent their group in particular. For example, the Navajo Indians use the bear as a symbol of protection. The meanings of some symbols vary between ethnic groups. However, many symbols carry common roots. In fact, there is a great deal of similarity in the motifs of primitive indigenous cultures, perhaps due to some ancient ancestral connection or due to a sameness in our primitive evolutionary struggles, or maybe it is just that there are only so many possibilities for different designs. Whatever the reason, the materials used, and the design motifs are sometimes similar.

Below are a few common symbols:

• Humming birds represent stability, eternity, and devotion
• A dot or point in the middle of a circle or the face in the center of the sun's rays, are symbols for the sun, which gives us life.
• The dove is a symbol of peace
• A dolphin is s symbol of playfulness, harmony and friendship while the turtle is the sign of a navigation
• The whale with its great size and obvious intelligence played an important part in the culture of the Maori people. Whales often represent family love.

Much labor goes into the creation of handcrafted tribal jewelry. Many artisans practice their craft much as they did centuries ago, and employ techniques handed down from one generation to another, to create these beautiful pieces. . Besides the decorative purpose, tribal jewelry is often an important part of the culture, tradition, and religious beliefs of ethnic groups.