THAI HILL TRIBE SILVER
96% PURE SILVER
LITTLE STAMPED CRUCIFIX CHARM OR PENDANT
1 CROSS
- This unique little silver cross has an understated, hand-made look. Front has light abstract stamped patterns. Lightly antiqued finish adds definition to the design.
- Back of cross is smooth.
- Measurements: 24mm total length, 11mm across, 2mm thick. Hanging loop has a 2mm interior.
- Quantity: 1 Hill Tribe Silver Stamped Cross Charm.
ABOUT THE HILL TRIBES OF THAILAND:
There are many semi-nomadic Hill Tribes that live in the highlands of northen Thailand, some of them roaming freely back and forth across the borders of Burma and Laos. Their way of life has changed little in almost 2,000 years. There are seven major tribal groups: KAREN, HMONG (MEO), YAO, LISU, LAHU, LAWA and AKHA. Each ethnic group of tribes has its own distinctive culture, including tribal dress and crafts. High status in the communities is reserved for silversmiths, for with these tribes' frequent wanderings from place to place came the need to transport worldly wealth easily, and silver jewelry fulfills both this need and the desire for adornment. The hill tribe people regard silver as currency and an indication of wealth and status of the family of the wearer. Jewelry is normally made from silver, most melted down from Indian and Burmese silver coins. Hill tribe members, especially women, wear every item of silver they possess, all the time. Their profusion of ornaments may include heavy silver belts and bracelets, headdresses composed of silver coins, huge earrings, and necklaces hung with such useful implements as toothpicks, scissors, and tweezers, also made of silver. Silver also has a religious significance and is thought to protect the wearer against evil spirits. Great time and imagination is invested in the production of these articles within each family, as they represent status and express pride.
