Chipna clips belong to the Gadaba community and are decided adornments exhibiting the community's unique design sensibilities and craftsmanship. This set of four hair clips, crafted in white metal, is a somewhat minimalistic design that holds significance for the declaration of the tribe. While the lower portion of each hair clip may be somewhat stark in design and functional in use, the upper part presents decoratively with finely drawn waved line patterns of rhythmic repetition with both decorative and symbolic value. The hair clips originate from the Gadaba tribe, an indigenous community found chiefly in Koraput district of Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh. They hold both practical and cultural connotations.
Hair ornamentation is rather considered one of the many adornments in Gadaba society; more importantly, they have social significance concerning identity, status, and ceremonial traditions. Use of white metal lends a sheen to the clips while reflecting the community's expertise in metallurgical traditions. The adornments depart from more dramatic tribal indications in favor of subdued geometry patterns like these waves, which may symbolize an element of nature: running water or flowing hair. Carved by hand, the clips are daily wear but also adorn festive occasions whenever a woman needs to stay with herself. In a larger context, Indian tribal art sees such adornments as a silent yet powerful articulation of an indigenous identity.