authentic BANJARA Belly Dance SKIRT 799p10 (waist 36")

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--------------------------------------------------------------Auction Item Description -------------------------------------------------------------- This great Authentic Antique MIRRORED SKIRT from the Banjara Tribe of the Rajasthan Desert in central India is great for BELLY DANCE or wearing to that special Tribal Party or event!. Handmade in India, this is not new, and has "character", meaning that t is wear, and it is clearly and unmistakably authentic and has been worn by the tribal women. ...we only have these twenty, and they are not new reproductions, all 20 of them including this one are authentic ... so expect a missing or broken mirror or two and signs of wear. The top part of the skirt, w the mirrors are, is lined, and the skirt part is single layer. T is intriguing needlepoint and embroidery work throughout, and the skirt has some weight to it ::smile:: Click to see all our available Tribal SKIRTs and ODHNIs We have measured the waist and the length, and it is shown in the pictures below. Some of them have two tie cords, some have only one, and on some both tie cords are missing. I would expect that you would not use the tie cords anyway, and that you would do the final fitting, any seam repair, and make an attachment, once you get it. . . . Remember, if you get ANY of our items, and it fails to meet your expectations for ANY reason, return it for an immediate and cheerful refund! ::smile:: The Banjara are a nomadic people, who 2300 years ago descended from Roma gypsies of Europe who migrated through the rugged mountains of Afghanistan and finally settled down in the deserts of Rajasthan in India. The colourful stream of the Banjaras began to travel down to the South in the 14th century. In the early 1800s, following the invasion by the armies of Aurangzeb, and thanks to the number of cattle they owned, the Banjaras worked for the Moghuls as commissariat carriers transporting provisions and arms, setting up camps on the outskirts of army encampments. When the Southern campaigns ended, the Banjaras forgot their desert homes in Rajasthan and settled down in the Deccan, the plateau of central peninsular India. Today the Banjara lifestyle has naturally altered and the tribals have had to abandon their packs of animals and take to working as laborers on building and construction projects. Despite all this, their traditional customs, manners and ceremonies have undergone little change and their migratory instinct is still intact. They move wver work is available, set up their temporary hamlets and build simple homes of mud and bamboo plaits. They keep very few domestic possessions and make do with earthen vessels, small quilts, bamboo and date mats and some rickety wooden articles. Brass and copper vessels are only recent additions and even these are very few in each family. The younger generation prefers to settle down to pucca (permanent) jobs in cities. Some are already plying rickshaws in Hyderabad while many have taken to other regular jobs. The Banjara women, however, are holding steadfast to their ancient mode of dress which is perhaps the most colorful and elaborate of any tribal group in India. Undoubtedly, their dress and jewelry sets them apart from all others. Their full length skirt, is blazing red with borders embroidered in mustard and green thread. The odhni (mantle) which covers the head is long enough to drape down their backs almost touching the feet. This also elaborately embroidered and studded with little mirrors which embellish their cholis (blouses). A variety of materials - silver, brass, some gold, cowries, ivory, animal bone and even plastic - are used in the making of a Banjara wardrobe. The women wear pretty silver anklets which clink as they walk barefoot. Long silver earrings are conspicuous, and patterned cowrie shells decorate their hair, and are worn on their wrists and ankles. The hundreds of cowries that the Banjara tribal women wear are very auspicious as they represent Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity. These... read more

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