Tribal Beaded Afghani Choker
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A beautiful genuine Afghan tribal choker handmade by the Kuchi tribe using beaded fringe. This tribal piece reminds us a lot of Native American or African work, but it is in fact made in Afghanistan and represents the beauty of the culture of the nomadic Pashtoon tribes that wander the border areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
ABOUT THE KUCHI
They move along ancient routes between the seasons, moving down from the mountains in the Winter towards the deserts. The word Kuchi itself is derived from a Persian word meaning migration, in relation to nomads or gypsies, and does not describe a particular group or people, but rather a state of being. The Kuchi are fiercely independent, usually wreathed in silver necklaces and dressed in spangling embroidery, and they stare boldly back from atop their camels when you cross them on the roads.
Kuchi jewelry, like the jewelry of India and other tribal places, often incorporates jewels of transparent colored glass set in and backed with foil to reflect light in every shade of the rainbow. Shining mirrors, metallic thread, colorful beads, pom poms, cloves and other fragrant materials, bright fabrics and thousands of different kinds of dangles and bells also serve to attract the eye and ward off evil spirits.
The jewelry of these wandering people incorporates design elements from many cultures including those of India, the Middle East, Central Asia and the tribal areas of the former Soviet Union. These jewelry artists used coins, bells, and large colorful glass jewels to produce lovely chokers, necklaces, cuff bracelets, pendants, belts, rings, earrings, headpieces and more completely by hand, often in centuries-old designs.
This particular piece is a choker with bright colorful glass beads sewn onto a fabric band with beaded fringe work. It is very light and adds a lot of character to an outfit. We just love how fun it is, as if it dances on your neck when you move.
It is adjustable to any neck as it has two ties in the back to secure.
MEASUREMENTS:
BAND WIDTH:
RED: 2"
BLUE: 2"
BELLS: 2"
WHITE: 2"
FRINGE LENGTH:
RED: 3 1/2"
BLUE: 3 1/2"
BELLS: 4 1/4"
WHITE: 4"
LENGTH:
RED: 17 1/2"
BLUE: 17 1/2"
BELLS: 28"
WHITE: 22 1/2"
