The Bonda tribe, one of the major tribes of Odisha, India, wears this fascinating traditional necklace. This necklace beautifully presents a long string of small elongated orange-hued beads that provide a very radiant look to the whole piece. The Lumbado consists of five rows of strings of beads arranged in perfect order to provide a different layered multi-textural effect. The beads used in this necklace are small yet very elongated.
This is meant more to the Bonda tribe than an ornament. It stands for their identity in culture and forms an important part of the tribe's dress, particularly in ceremonies and when celebrating festivals. The predominant orange color of these beads further gives meaning to the bright, life, and energy in Bonda culture. The skill involved in making the Lumbado goes on to show the beadwork prowess of the tribe and their innate bond with nature. The Lumbado also stands as an eloquent reminder of a bygone age in the Bonda tribes traditions and values which continue to be passed from generation to generation. A perfect example of tribal art, it blends beauty with function, thus carrying the important cultural dimension in the rituals and day-to-day life of the tribe.