A brass ring is a small but very important piece of jewelry for the Lambadi tribe, also known as the Banjaras, who are indigenous people mainly found in Karnataka. The Lambadis are a tribe that is very rich in culture, and that culture can be said to be manifested in their jewelry, attire, and crafts. The brass ring stands as one of those artifacts that testify to their artistic culture.
The circular finger ring in brass is the alloy traditionally used for Lambadi ornaments. The ring is carved in floral designs that bear the hallmark of Lambadi styles of nature-based designs. This floral pattern could represent those things that tribal people covet for beauty, but they are also symbolic; they stand for growth, fertility, and the life cycle in many tribes.
The brass ring's tiny size denotes elegance and delicateness; it is usually worn together with many other ornaments. Such ring-wearing finds its place in festivals, marriages, and other ceremonial occasions in Lambadi society. Also giving the user an opportunity to express cultural identity is the daily use of such a ring by Lambadi women as part of their traditional costume.
The brass ring stands as a testimony to the link of the tribe with its roots, the allure of nature, and the artistic expression that builds meaning and content to the fact of rich heritage carried by the Lambadi tribes. Through such artifacts, the Lambadi tribe upholds its age-old traditions and artistry that have been passed down to this day.