The Dondia is a legendary pair of nose rings proudly adorned by the women of the Gadaba tribe. The Gadaba are an indigenous people living in the hilly and forested but beautiful tracts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Its cuff links are made of metal, twisted in flesh, one extreme pointed for piercing while the other one coiled intricately to hold it in position. The Gadaba tribe which is well-known for their unique personal adornments sees the Dondia together with other ornaments of th-eir nose not only to serve beautiful purposes but as an identity with different connotations, namely marital status and clan.
Worn in both nostrils, these ensure a full-blown and bold visual underlining to other traditional ornaments like the Mali (necklace) and huge metal earrings. The twist may have its own symbolism in some respect, embodying perhaps continuity, stamina, or even tribal cohesion. Heavy and huge, Gadaba women adorn themselves in j-ewelry made from locally available materials including brass, copper, and sometimes silver. Most of these ornaments are handmade by local artisans as a way of preserving skills passed down from previous generations. Even today, Dondia nose rings are still worn during festivals, rituals, and cultural performances, and thus preserved as one of the links to the tribe's inheritance. Therefore, with its distinctive designs and cultural significance, the ornament Dondia bears witness to the Gadaba tribe's vast artistic traditions and the ancient meaning of ornamentation as an identity for tribes.