Jewelry can be used as a method of communicating about their culture and tradition in every community. You will see woman adorning it gracefully mostly with their traditional attire. These are some cultural and traditional jewelries, I carry and had showcased on the jewelry events.
Tayo
Tayo necklace is one of the old and exclusive necklace worn by the women of the Newar society as well as deities. It is the largest ethnic jewelry piece. Traditionally it should be made of high karat gold but also can be made from gilded copper or brass so that it is affordable to all level people. The main element of the Tayo is a hollow lozenge-shaped pendant connected to the necklace with two mirror-image comma shapes, often set with turquoise or coral. It has hollow inside consists of enchanted mantra. This ornament is used in the important rituals including marriage ceremony. It is uniquely shaped pendant which is hollow and enchanted amulet is placed in it for good fortune.
Makashi
The bucket-shaped or u shaped Makashi earring is usually worn with Haku patasi (cultural dress) by a Newar farming community settled in the Kathmandu Valley. This is earring made of silver or gold and are worn every day.
Potte
Potte mala is a distinctive piece of handmade jewelry traditionally worn by women of Nepali origin generally worn on a regular basis as a symbol of marriage. Potte mala, pronounced like “po-thays” in Nepalese language. It is traditionally gifted to them by their in-laws at the time of the wedding. It fulfills the same function as a ring in the Western world. Different castes and ethnic groups have different traditions surrounding the wearing of a Potte. The Potte mala is basically made up of glass beads. Each glass bead is strung one by one on a string by hand. Sometimes the potes are thicker multi-strand necklaces, and sometimes they are long single strand necklaces. If a gold pendant is added to the Potte then the necklace is called ‘Tilhari’. The completed fixed tie of strung glass beads has become a signature status symbol of Nepali cultural identity.
Phuli
The other jewelry that Hindu women wear in their nose. These jewelries are made of either gold or diamond. In Nepal, except for the Tibetan-Nepalese and Newar society women, all other groups wear nose jewelry. Here it is not just a piece of body adornment but traditionally a symbol of marriage as well. Ornaments for the nose in Nepal are of three basic types: It can be simply a dot of gold, a small diamond or a flat disk whose surface is nicely decorated. Phuli (that means little flower) worn on the left side of the nose. There designs, and sizes vary greatly according to location.
Jantar
This ornament is considered to be very old tradition. This ornament is made of gold or silver, attached some precious stone and is hand crafted with different textures. Earlier it used to come in a square shape with a different animal print like fish, butterfly Kalash which is considered to be a symbol of good luck. In some parts of Nepal, it is also made with a paper where all the secret mantras are written by the Buddhist Monk or Brahamin Pandit and it is rolled and wrapped with a thin plastic which is tied with a thread. It is believed to bring good luck and fortune. People wear this to keep away all the social devils and empower them with spiritual strength which is a holy myth in Nepali society. This is very attractive ornament found in Nepali society.
Jun clip
This other ornament is made up of gold and/or silver. It is used as an ornament of the head. It is made in the shape of the moon and attached with the star too. This ornament consists of different stones to decorate it. Here we also see different animals, birds, and flower on it, which shows that the artist who made this first is completely inspired by nature. This ornament main frame is made of silver and can be covered with a foil of gold so is affordable by all level people. This ornament goes with local attire, but these days we see women wearing it with all sorts of dresses.
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