Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

A Young Dancer from Nias with Headdress

Posted by Edith D on September 13, 2017 at 9:58am

Traditionally such headdresses would have been made of gold sheet metal. This young man is wearing one made of gold-colored paper. The shape represents the tree of life, a common symbol found throughout the Indonesian archipelago. The symbol predates Islam and is related to the indigenous animist traditions.

Comments

Edith D September 13, 2017 at 10:10am

His clothing is made from bark cloth and the back of his vest has a silhouette of a tree of life that matches the headdress.

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