Assam’s Cultural Heritage Shines: Exclusive Traditional Jewellery Earns Prestigious GI Recognition

Assam’s Unique Jewellery Tradition Earns Geographical Indication Tag

The traditional Assamese Jewellery, famously known as “Axomiya Gohona,” has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its rich cultural and artistic heritage. The GI tag, managed by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Intellectual Property Office of India, was announced on the GI Authority’s official website, solidifying the recognition of this unique jewellery tradition.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to share the “golden news,” which is a testament to the state’s remarkable yet traditional ornaments and the artisans behind their creation. In his tweet, CM Sarma reflected on the journey, recalling that the 2018-19 Budget had proposed to secure the GI tag to protect Assam’s artisans. He expressed his happiness at seeing these efforts come to fruition.

Axomiya Gohona is a remarkable collection of handcrafted traditional ornaments that mirror Assam’s natural beauty, cultural artifacts, and musical heritage. The jewelry pieces, characterized by their golden sheen, are embellished with gemstones in hues of red, black, green, blue, and white, along with intricate enamel work. The unique design motifs include birds, musical instruments, animals, and cultural symbols, all carefully crafted by skilled artisans known as Sonaris.

The tradition of Assamese Jewellery dates back over a millennium, with mentions of gold usage in Assam found in ancient texts like the Arthashastra. The art of gold ornamentation flourished during the Ahom dynasty, as gold was naturally sourced from the rivers of Assam, particularly the Subansiri, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra. The Sonowal Kacharis, an ethnic community historically engaged in gold-washing, played a crucial role in collecting this gold dust for jewelry making.

With the GI tag recognition, Assamese Jewellery is set to receive legal protection against imitation, while also boosting the state’s indigenous crafts industry. This historic achievement ensures that the centuries-old tradition of Assamese ornamentation remains preserved for future generations.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assams-traditional-jewellery-secures-prestigious-geographical-indication-gi-recognition-1193108-2025-04-02?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-04-02 20:51:00