The Manjulo, conceived as a headdress decoration, is one found traditionally with the women of the Gadaba tribe, an indigenous group whose members inhabit principally the hilly regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. This delicate ornament made of a string of bright red beads occupies a significant position of ritual supremacy in the attire of the Gadaba people popularly and culturally. The Manjulo, thus, is adorned during festivals, rituals, and community gatherings, symbolizing an ethereal weight of the Gadaba's connection with nature, beauty, and social customs. Red beads have been chosen for these ornaments so much so that they symbolize two opposing forces: life and vitality on the one hand, and spiritual protection against negativity on the other. These ornaments are usually woven into the hair, either on braids or in a sort of crown, bringing out grace and flamboyance in the dresses.
Unlike metal ornaments, the Manjulo show the tribe's relationship with organic and local materials in their arts and crafts. Each ornament is in most cases hand-made, with beads neatly sewn together in a patterning that remains uniform and attractive. The modesty of its design is a delightful foil to the elaboration of ornaments also worn by Gadaba women, such as the Chip Mali necklace or Khagala neck ring. Today, remnants like the Manjulo adorn tribal museums and ethnographic collections, providing insight into the Gadaba people's day-to-day activities and ceremonial practices; their traditional ornaments still continue to act as a source of cultural pride and identity