Traditional Assamese Jewellery -Part One

Disclaimer : I am in no way involved in making/marketing/selling of these jewellery ,nor do I own any boutique .Because of ever increasing no of queries regarding the contact details of this shop owner I am including her phone no ......9864023446 .

On my way to work I always noticed this shop. Today I stepped into this jewelery boutique to have a look around.I was completely enamored by their collection. Mrigakshi Bora ,the owner and the lady behind all these beautifully  designed jewellery has been into this field for quite sometime.It all started as a hobby which slowly and steadily turned into a full time business.Jewellery designing is her passion and this is further very strongly supported by her husband Minup Bora an artist(a product of J.J. School of Art ,Mumbai) .She has spent a lot of time and effort in researching this field.My post today is based on conversations between Mrigakshi and me . Assam's tradition of making jewellery dates back to many centuries. In medieval Assam during the reign of the Ahom dynasty the manufacture of gold ornaments  was a flourishing buisness. Gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of the state . Gold-washing on the banks of the Subansiri was a major profession of the Sonowal Kachari. Subansiri which means "flow of gold" is one of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
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Dugdugi

While most of the designs depict flora and fauna of the region some are inspired by elements of Assam's culture .Each piece has a name which describes and indicates the shape and decorative work done on it .Many of the designs are exclusive to this state only.

Lukapar

This piece below is called Lokapar which is an ornament with two sets of twin pigeons placed back to back in gold, mina or ruby .It was originally worn by high profile dignitaries of the royal Ahom dynasty.

 

 Lokapara, Lang Keru, Thuria, Dighal keru, Bakharna Keru, Uka keru, Titakaria keru, Jangphai keru, Kanthasa, karnaphul are the names of  some of the ear ornamentsGam-Kharus are broad bracelets with clasps previously worn by the males only but now very popular amongst females. There were other bracelets such as Epatiabala, Dopatia bala, Muthi, Satjuri Muthi, Sonkhatowa Kharu, Rupar Kharu, Eptia magar Khatowa bala, Uka Kharu, Chheo etc. The rings of various designs were Jethineguri Angathi, Patia Angathi, Babari phulia Angathi etc.

Click here for Part 2