The traditional waist belt is one beautiful piece of tribal craftsmanship by the Cachari tribe, an indigenous community of the northeastern Indian state of Assam. Crafted out of durable leather, the belt is both functional and nonfunctional at the same time and indicates the intimate connection between the tribal world and natural environments as well as cultural manifestations.
The very rich outer surface of the belt is coated with cowrie shell, an element found in tribal ornamentation all over India. In Cachari culture, cowrie shells are used in adornment and are also considered symbolic and carry meanings associated with prosperity, fertility, and spiritual protection. The shells hugged at symmetrical intervals would have made the belt all the more attractive and may attribute to the status of the bearer or of ceremonially important meaning. The belts are tied around the waist during traditional dances, more so during rituals or festive occasions. The tough leather would last through years of day-to-day utility. It thus forms a part of traditional apparel that complements the identity and cultural pride of the Cachari people.