A shell necklace called the Rata-Ola-Ta, important and delicate, is owned and worn by the Great Andamanese tribe, an Indian indigenous community found on remote Andaman Islands. Although seemingly simple, yet-the Rata-Ola-Ta necklace is not just an ornament, but symbolizes the kinship along with nature, the traditional artisanship, and the cultural continuities among the Great Andamanese. Composed of tiny marine shells or conches, each shell is carefully pierced and threaded with a cord made of bark fiber - a natural and sustainable material easily available in the island environment. These shells are going to be further strung uniformly to perforations, an endless loop or layers of necklaces around the neck.
This whole mode of construction is quite handcrafted and shows the ingenuity of the tribe, with the skill to work in organic material found locally. The Rata-Ola-Ta is mostly worn by both men and women, especially during rituals, dance performances, and community festivals. The ornament does not stand with any adornment; it has its meaning in the identification and belonging to the population. In certain cases, this shell necklace could also be related to the spiritual or ancestral meanings, believed as a protection or a sign of lineage owned in generations. Among the Great Andamanese people, natural materials like shells and bark fiber are of great importance that serve aesthetic value but go ahead and show how much the tribe will live sustainably and respect for the environment.