Naga Brass Headhunter Pendant Necklace

Naga jewelry is intricate and orderly, crafted from diverse materials like glass, shell, stone, teeth, and more. These are fashioned into various ornaments including pendants, necklaces, and bracelets. Glass beads, primarily from Assam, form the core of Naga jewelry, sometimes supplemented by Venetian and Czech beads. Carnelian beads and cowrie shells from Gujarat are also used.

Ornamentation serves as a means for the Naga to express identity and social status, with brass and bronze pendants historically awarded to skilled warriors. The Naga were once head-hunters; traditionally, pendants like this one were worn to indicate how many heads the wearer had taken. Today this practice has died out and the pendants are used for decoration.

Cowrie shells symbolize bloodshed and are worn on men's spears and ceremonial attire. Beads are ubiquitous, worn by both genders from infancy, symbolizing community inclusion. Chank shells denote wealth or brotherhood in different communities.

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