Traditional Newa Jewelry
Traditional newa jewelry is so fascinating that each one of them has a reason to be worn. It’s another thing that today’s generations seem not very much interested in it. Yet, there is a corner in each newa girl or the married woman in their heart, where they wish to have a good collection of newa jewelry.
However, even to collect them, we must first know their names, right?
Yes, and here, we come up with a bunch of information about such fascinating jewelry.
Head Jewelries
Lunswan
Lunswan, many of us have seen it at weddings, where the bride wears a round-shaped crown-like ornament but never, ever noticed neither knows its name. Yes, that almost flying like birds figured ornament is called Luswan.
It is either made of gold or is gold-plated. But it is not necessary that there should be a bird in Luswan. Luswan literally means the golden flower.
Jun clip
Jun is a Nepalese word that represents the moon and clip, it is used to manage the hair. Here, jun clip means a hairpin that has a symbol of a curved moon. And, It perfectly suits any hairstyle.
It is also made out of gold or is gold-plated. Some people say it is made out of silver and then plated in golden color.
Killip
Killip is that clip which we use to tied and manage hair. It’s just transformed in Nepal for the word clip.
Nyapu Shikha
Nyapu Shikha, one of my favorite jewelry. It is called Nyapu Shikha cause it has five rows of chains which of course are interlinked but far-flung too. Here, Nyapu means five and Shikha means the golden chan.
It proclaims that it is the symbol of Pancha tatwa. Sometimes, people also use chyapusikha, which has eight chains.
Generally, it goes well with Haku Patasi, one traditional newa attire. Besides, it is wasted on any occasion especially at festivals, and ceremonies.
Sheerbandi
Sheerbandi is jewelry that is worn at almost every wedding ceremony by the bride. But, there is a little difference in which community wears what kind of ceremony. Normally, they all are tied with the hair and hang a little on the forehead.
However, the sheerbandi used in Newa culture is quite different. It also hands there in the middle of the forehead but it has three rows where one goes up straight and the other two in the row sides of the ears. And they all are tied up in the back of the hair.
But, if you are already wearing a luswan, then this is not worn there. In spite of that today, in ihi and barah, this jewelry is fitted to the girls.
Sathwacha
Sathwacha is one jewel that is worn in the hair. It looks quite unique and unusual than any other jewel of the Newa ornaments. The hanging ankle of it is designed as a fish. With that the hanging part, they look a bit like the bells. It is made out of Silver and most of the time-worn in the Ihi and barah ceremonies by the girls.
Earrings
Makansi
Wearing a pair of Makansi on haku patasi or in other the newa dress will complete you even if you are not wearing this heavy jewelry. It’s simple yet beautiful.
It could be silver-plated or gold-plated.
Tuki
You may have noticed this, an old lady wearing a kind of earrings, plated on both sides from top to bottom of the ear. They look so cool. And that ornament is called tuki. It is prescribed that old ladies who had celebrated their Janko do wear them.
Gasi Shikha
Shikha, it’s a fine gold chain made to hold a large hole in the ear.
Rings and hand ornaments
Pyakhan Aangu
The flat silvered ring that is worn in index figures is called the pyakhan aangu. It is worn in weddings, ceremonies, and in performances likely dances.
However, it is also worn in daily lives too.
Ashrafiya Aangu
Ashrafiya Aangu is one ring that has a coin attached to it as the main feature of the ring.
Hina Aangu
Hina Aangu is another type of aangu or ring which is blended into different rows. One can see it as a snake rolling around on a stick. But it doesn’t look that dangerous. In fact, it looks pretty cute and cool.
Toe rings
Necklaces
Tayo
Tayo is one fascinating necklace that has a lot of importance, symbolically. It is considered as one of the vast necklaces with these tiny but nonignorable craftings.
It is said that the two pointed pendants of the necklace signify the Kathmandu valley, whereas the upper part signifies it’s direction. Similarly, the heads of the snakes right on the pendants symbolize the Swayambhu stupa of Kathmandu.
This necklace is mostly worn by the brides. However one can notice it on the neck of some famous goddesses too like the Kumari, Lokeshwori, Yogini, and Dipankars. Except for the kumari, others wear it on special occasions only.
Tikma
Tikma, a round figured necklace. That we most of the time see and notice in ceremonies like Ihi and bara. There, the girl whose Ihi or bara is done wears it as one of the precious pieces of jewelry. Trust me, that one piece of jewelry perfectly adorned her as a goddess.
The Tikma is usually hired for such occasions who couldn’t afford to make it. It seems quite heavy but is really comfortable and attractive. The green-colored stones hanging all around the necklace make it more worthy of wearing.
Jantar (Amulet)
Jantar (Amulet) is generally worn to ward off evils and to bring good fortunes. The pendant of Jantar, by which the name of jewelry is named Jantar is usually made in square shape. As if, it may have some meaning and importance. But yes, this jewelry also goes well with any kind of dress. Mostly, it is worn on special occasions by middle-aged women rather than others.
However, the ordinary Jantar is sometimes decorated with prints of fish, butterflies, Kalash, and the Nava Ratna. These things are considered good fortunes in our society.
Ghau
Ghau is warmly adopted in Newa jewelry from Tibetan culture. The jewelry is more influenced by the Buddhism and Tibetan style, thus it has a unique shape and features.
Ghau is an amulet box pendant decorated with different stones. The box is also attached to the coral beads. However, the stones which are used to decorate the Ghau are also presumed as the symbol of Pancha Buddha of Swyambhu Stupa, exactly like in Tayo. You can see the four stones on the four corners of the box and one at the center.
Bhimpuma
Bhim Puma is a simple necklace that is made of coral beads. It is worn by both males and females. It looks simple yet is very beautiful and attractive.
Moreover, it is also worn by the children but they wear it on the hand.
Company Shikha or Aasarfi maa
Company Shikha or Aasatfi maa is one necklace that is made out of coins. This kind of necklace seems very common to different cultures besides the Newa culture.
Baha Shikha Maa
Baha Shikha Maa is another unique ornament that you can find in the Newa culture. It looks unique because it is made and presented in a sort of unique way. Yes, it is a chain made of interlocked circular rings.
Patachin Shikha
It is a plain gold chain which everyone prefers to wear in their day to day life.
Foot ornaments
Kalli
Kalli generally represents ornaments that are worn on the foot. You can take it as an alternate anklet. But, it is quite thicker than any ordinary anklets. Besides, there are different types of Kalli. And, they all are named as per their composition and design.
Sinhakhwa Kalli
Sinhakhwa Kalli is one thick anklet that is beautifully decorated by the carvings of a lion’s face. Here, the Sinhakhwa also means the same, the face of a lion. Basically, it is made up of u-shaped without any locking system. You just need to fit your feet into it.
Taha Kalli
Jangi Selaya Kalli
Jangi Selaya Kalli is one quite similar to Sinhakhwa Kalli. But, it seems larger than it and is fully emptied from inside. These all Kallis are made out of silvers.
Tutibaggi
Tutibaggi is one different ornament, worn on the foot of the bride. It is said that the tutibaggi is once in a lifetime worn by the father in law to the bride. And, that would be the first and last time when the father in law touches his daughter-in-law’s feet.