Body Jewelry’s Cultural Value and Significance

Jewelry has been worn by humans all throughout history for different purposes and on different parts of the body. Western culture is most familiar with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. While these types of jewelry are beautiful, there is a whole other world full of ways to decorate the human body. Below, we’ll take a look at different types of body jewelry and where they originated from. Many pieces have a specific cultural importance, so while they might not be for you to wear, they’re still cool to learn about and admire.

What this article will discuss:

• Waist beads
• Toe rings
• Anklets
• Maang Tikka (forehead jewelry)
• Nose rings
• Tongue piercings
• Ear gauges/stretched ears
• Cultural Appropriation vs Appreciation
• Authentic businesses to check out

Waist Beads

Waist beads are a part of West African culture, and they are worn for a few different reasons. More specifically, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana are the countries that are usually credited with popularizing waist beads. One reason they are worn is to mark a rite of passage. They are put on all babies, but boys stop wearing them when they grow, while girls receive another set after the original one is outgrown. Additionally, when girls get their first period, they are gifted waist beads as a symbol of womanhood. They are also worn to keep track of one’s weight. If they break or move up, then the wearer has gained weight. If they get loose, the wearer has lost weight. Similarly, waist beads are considered to be body shaping and accentuate one’s hourglass figure. Overall, they’re worn to celebrate all phases of life and highlight the wearer’s femininity.

Toe Rings

Toe rings are commonly worn in India by married women. Not only do they symbolize the wearer’s loyalty to her spouse, but they are also worn to improve reproductive health. According to Ayurvedic medicine, the rings on the second toes place pressure on the sciatic nerve. This is thought to increase blood flow throughout the body, and especially to the uterus. Toe rings are also intertwined with Hinduism, one of the main religions practiced in India. Many idols of goddesses depict them wearing different kinds of jewelry, including toe rings. They are an important part of Hindu marriage and culture. Additionally, feet play a big role in regulating body temperature, so toe rings are also worn for practical purposes. Using metal, usually silver, to cool the body was helpful in getting through South Asia’s hot temperatures.

Anklets

Anklets are important in multiple South Asian (also known as Desi) cultures, including Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cultures. They are called payal or ghungroo, and they are usually silver. Many Hindus consider gold to be divine, so they do not wear it on their feet out of respect. Other Desi women do wear gold anklets. A common trait of most Desi anklets is the little bells that outline them. These make a musical chime whenever the wearer moves her legs, which is considered to bring happy, positive energy. They are worn by women and girls alike, but married women typically wear heavier, louder ones.

Anklets were also incredibly popular in Ancient Egypt, where all women would wear one. Depending on their wealth, the anklets would be different materials. Thus, they were used as somewhat of a status symbol. Many anklets have been found in the tombs of Ancient Egyptian royalty.

Maang Tikka

Maang Tikka is forehead jewelry worn by Hindu women on their wedding day. Its placement symbolizes the third eye, which can be considered the woman’s hidden wisdom and strength. It also protects from evil eye, also called nazar. Nazar is when an onlooker unconsciously or consciously projects their jealousy and ill will upon someone, in this case the bride. Since all the attention—good and bad—is on her during the wedding ceremonies, bridal maang tikka is important to ward off evil eye and ensure that the marriage does not get tainted by others. It is also considered a general symbol of the union between bride and groom. Non-Hindu Desi women also wear tikkas on special occasions for aesthetic purposes and as a way to follow cultural traditions.

Nose Rings

In Desi cultures, nose piercings are generally worn to celebrate maturity and womanhood. Indian nose rings, or nath, are worn by Hindus to honor the goddess Parvati specifically. Nose rings or studs are not only worn by Hindus, though. Piercing one’s nostril is more of a cultural practice, so women of all religions wear nose jewelry in South Asia. Ayurvedic medicine views the left nostril as a pressure point that, when pierced, can ease cramps and labor pain. However, some women get both nostrils pierced based on their personal preference, or based on what the female elders in their families wear.

Tongue Piercings

The Ancient Mayans used to pierce their tongues, however, their intentions were not to elevate their beauty. Instead, it was part of bloodletting, which was a practice in which people—especially royals and nobles—would offer their blood to the gods. Blood was considered humans’ souls in liquid form and the highest valued gift to the gods. Similar to other groups of people, Mayans pierced parts of their body for religious purposes.

Along with Mayans, some Hindus pierce their tongues for religious reasons. Thaipusam is a holy day celebrated in parts of Malaysia, Singapore, and South India. The Tamil ethnic group has a wide diaspora that spans across many different countries, and Hindu Tamils are usually the ones who pierce themselves on this holiday. They do so to honor the god Murugan, and they prove their devotion to him by praying, fasting, then enduring the physical pain of the piercings. They pierce many other body parts on this day, but the tongue is one of the most common spots.

Ear Gauges/Stretched Ears

Ear stretching was done by different groups of people across the world, including Ancient Egyptians, Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs. Even King Tut, the Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, had stretched ears. Buddha also had stretched ears, but this was a result of wearing heavy earrings during his early life as a royal and abandoning them once he gave up his power. Another historical individual found with stretched ears was Ötzi, a man who lived in Europe around 3300 B.C.E., whose body was frozen intact from his death until the day of the body’s discovery in 1991. Ear stretching is still done traditionally in Kenya, Nigeria, Thailand, Myanmar, and Ethiopia.

Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Appreciation

Cultural appropriation is a widely controversial topic. On one hand, people argue that cultural fusion is natural and the admiration of other cultures should be embraced, not considered offensive. On the other hand, many find it unfair that the parts of their culture that they were bullied or looked down upon for are now being praised just because white influencers are donning them as a trend.

If you love a cultural piece of body jewelry mentioned above, here are the best ways to respectfully appreciate them. Firstly, you should educate yourself on the purpose of the piece of jewelry and whether it would be appropriate for you to wear or not. As you might have noticed, several pieces of jewelry are tied to wedding rituals or other religious purposes. Wearing a maang tikka if you are not attending a Desi ceremony, for example, is a misuse of the piece.

Secondly, if you do believe the piece of jewelry is appropriate for your use, make sure to buy from authentic small businesses. The only people that should be profiting off traditional, meaningful jewelry are the members of the culture that the piece originated from. For instance, buying waist beads off a mainstream website that is not based in Africa is a poor choice when there are so many small businesses that hand-make pieces and compensate jewelers fairly for their skill.

Authentic Businesses to Purchase From

• Sunu Body: A Black, teen owned business specializing in African inspired jewelry and skincare. They buy most products directly from local shop owners in Senegal, Africa and import them into the United States for sale.
• Totaram Jewelers: A family run store that began three generations ago in Hyderabad, India. It has branched out to the United States, but all of its products are still handcrafted in India. If the tikkas, anklets, or nath stood out to you, Totaram has a great variety.
• Gorilla Glass: Artisans that hand-make the jewelry are working mothers from Mexico, which is where the company is based. If you’re interested in stretching your ears, they make beautiful plugs.

Last Thoughts on Body Jewelry

Jewelry is one of the most versatile ways individuals can express themselves. Seeing how each region of the world has crafted its own unique pieces is incredibly interesting. Just like clothing, tattoos, and hair, jewelry is a way to decorate yourself however you’d like. Beyond individuality, jewelry is an important way to represent one’s religion, culture, and ancestry. If you’re inspired to start wearing body jewelry, make sure to get pierced at a safe, certified shop, purchase jewelry from authentic brands, and respect the origins of the piece. Your body is your canvas!

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