A Naga , Hill Peoples of Assam , Northeast India , Man's Pendant Necklace

A Naga , Hill Peoples of Assam , Northeast India , Man’s Pendant Necklace . Cowrie shell , glass beads , human incisor teeth , leather and hemp twine
Early 20 th Century
Size : 24 cm high , 21 cm wide – 9½ ins high , 8¼ ins wide
For the Naga's , ornaments help to make statements about and define individuals and groups . Ornaments are part of their definition of being truly human and most Naga ornaments have a particular meaning and power , much like the Fijian concept of 'mana'. The right to wear them is therefore strictly controlled .
Ritual belief and practices permeate all Naga social activity , their spirits and Gods having a particular relationship to their concept of 'fertility'. Thus when they offer a sacrifice to a God it is usually to ask that he intervene beneficially in the matter of maximizing fertility ; good crops , healthy children , the heads of tigers and enemy warriors . Until 1950 head taking and warfare were central to the Naga's complex belief in fertility .

A Naga , Hill Peoples of Assam , Northeast India , Man's Pendant Necklace

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