Handmade glass beaded necklace with copper wire, light blue beads

These elegant one-of-a-kind handmade fairtrade necklaces were made by the semi-nomadic Narikuravar tribal community in Southern India.

Each single-strand beaded necklace is meticulously handmade using small round light blue glass beads and copper wire and is truly one-of-a-kind. They can be worn solo or layered with other necklaces in the same or different colours and styles.

The Narikuravar community is a tribal semi-nomadic indigenous group living in south India. The name “Narikurava” means "jackal people" in Tamil. They are named for their adeptness in hunting, even though they are no longer allowed to pursue their livelihood in local forests. These days, you’ll find people from the Narikuravar community selling small items, including these handmade beaded necklaces, at bus stations and busy markets across the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Narikuravar tribe is believed to have migrated to Southern India from Northern India country around half a millennium ago. Their language, 'Vagriboli', is an Indo-Aryan mix of Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil that has no script - a normal tendency for nomadic or semi-nomadic communities.

This indigenous group of people has faced discrimination against them since ancient times, primarily because of their nomadic lifestyle and consumption of animals, considered taboo by Hindus and upper-caste communities within India. The gypsy communities of India sit at the absolute bottom of society, even below the caste system. Poverty, illiteracy, diseases and discrimination are the major issues that confront the Narikuravars. Girls within the community are often married off directly after they menstruate and can become mothers as early as 14 years old.

By purchasing this item, you are helping to empower and provide ongoing employment income for the women who make these beautiful handmade products.

Source: Shakti.ism

Shakti.ism is a British brand that gives Indian Sarees a second life by reusing them into beautiful new items in social workshops in India and Bangladesh.

Fair trade: Shakti.ism is a social enterprise operating in India and Bangladesh. Employees are paid a fair wage as well as additional health and wellness benefits. Shakti.ism regularly visits the locations and consults with their employees.

Environmentally friendly: The items are made from old Indian Sarees that are given a second life by Shakti.ism. For example, many sarees are donated. Local donations are generally from poorer people who donate sarees in exchange for other necessities of life. Or they sell it to Shakti.ism at a low price so that they can use this money to buy basic necessities. Shakti.ism can then save the second-hand fabric from being thrown away and reuse it. Saris can also be donated in Europe so that they can be reused.

Good cause: Shakti.ism works with women who are at risk of being affected by gender-based violence. At Shaktiism these women are given the opportunity to earn their own money fairly in a pleasant environment.