Contrary to popular belief- the Kata Earrings aren’t ACTUAL dead remains of a fish that we turned into earrings.
Though we can’t lie, that’s an incredibly good idea + brownie points for sustainability.
The earliest traces of jewellery was believed to have been made from animal remains like teeth, bone, various kinds of shells. (Sorry, Vegans). Bones of birds being small in size and hollow, required very little changes to be turned into jewellery like beads or pendants. Snake vertebrae were like ready-made beads and just needed a good cleaning before taking form of a beautiful necklace.
Because of its wide availability & low costs, such jewellery is still prevalent in many cultures and tribes.
Scythia tribes of southern Russia before Christ’s birth. Azilian culture dating back from around 17,800 to 6,500 BC. Native American in the pre-Columbian times. Are all the origins of animal remains being used for ornamental purposes.
In India, bone carving specifically has a long history, dating back to prehistoric times. Mostly known for Ivory carved decor & ornaments.
But wait, our ancestors didn’t just stop at wild animal bones and remains. In certain cultures, there are evidences pointing to human dead remains being given a new life. Human bones, blood, skin were not just functional materials. They were believed to hold power: protection from spirits, connection to ancestors, traces of a life lived.
In current times, use of bodily remains of animals comes with a lot of ethical dilemmas. For some, using a fish to sell fishbone earrings is where they draw the line. For some, real animal bone jewellery holds great value. We can’t be the judge for other’s moral compass. But if something is rooted in history- referencing it in today’s time doesn’t necessarily mean endorsments but rather awareness.