Newari Traditional Jewelries

Newari Traditional Jewelries : Tisha (तिसा ) 

One of practices of Newar community is of wearing Newari traditional jewelries. The Newari traditional jewelries are worn by the Newari women have specific names  and purposes. Newars celebrate numerous events and feasts associated with important milestones in their lives like the rice feeding ceremony, weddings and so on. The jewelry of the women are associated with these specific events.

Newari brides with newari traditional jewelries

Tayo:

Tayo

Tayo is the largest ethnic jewelry piece. It is a gold amulet necklace with the multi-headed serpent Sesh Naga.

Tato has symbolic meaning s and religious values.  it is believed that the pointed pendent part of the necklace symbolizes the Kathmandu Valley, while the facets of the pendent for the directions of the Valley, and a center jewel under the hood of the snake-heads is for the Swayambhu Stupa of the Kathmandu valley.

Traditionally it should be made of high carat gold. 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.

Lunswan:

lunswan and nyapushikha

Lunswan is a circular disk type ornament made of gold worn at centre of head. It has a quite big image of Lord Ganesh on coral with superb designs all over and distinctive peacocks at the top. 

Lunswan is usually worn by bride on the wedding. 

Tikma:

Tikma is the necklace. It consists of a number of repousse-worked metal plaques sewn on fabric. The fabric is usually red, either cotton or velvet. The plaques are made of gold or gold-plated copper. The most common motifs that the plaques are embellished with are flowers or peacocks.This necklace is decorated by a row of teardrop-shaped glass beads. They are sewn to the fabric on the periphery. Tikma is mostly used in the various ceremonies, in the wedding ceremonies and in traditional dances. 

Ghau:

Ghau

Ghau is originally Tibetan traditional jewelry.But it has been adopted in newari culture through newars from hilly region.  It is amulet box pendent with precious stones. It is a symbolic jewelry piece related with the Mahayan Buddhism. The stones at the corners and at the center signify the five Pancha- Buddhas of Swayambhu Stupa.

Kilip:

Kilip is a finely worked out gold head ornament. The word probably came from the english word 'clip'.It is in oval shape with a cluster of flowers motif and usually a peacock or moon-shape on the top. It is used as a hair clip on the back of the head. The back of the Kilip is made of silver with a lock on it.

Nyapu shikha:

Bride wearing nyapu shikha

Nyapu shikha is named for the five gold chain.It is another elaborate piece worn on the head. It has many small strings attached to a point and is worn on the side.

Patachin shikha:

 One of the commonly worn ornament is "Patachin shikha" or a simple gold necklace.

Company Shikha:

 "Company shika" is a necklace made of coins.

Bhimpuma:

 "Bhimpuma"is necklace made of coral.

Makansi:

Makansi

This is earring made of silver or gold specially worn with Haku patasi. The earrings are u-shaped and are called "Makansi".

Chura:

 The hand are adorned with gold rings and bangles.

Kalli:

 Kalli is worn around the ankles.It id usually made of silver and u-shaped.

Tuki:

Tuki is double studs jwelry inserted in the helix of ear. These are worn by elder women after their ritual procession called Janku. Most of tuki are plain in design but some are in floral design.