Handmade Filipino choker with fringe and beads

This necklace is a traditional beaded choker, characteristic of the intricate textile and beadwork of the indigenous peoples of the southern Philippines, particularly the Mindanao region (such as the T'boli and Manobo communities). This handcrafted choker is distinguished by its complex geometric pattern, handwoven with micro-spherical glass beads. The main design features a combination of rhombuses and stylized flowers in strong contrasting colors, finished at the bottom with dangling fringes that add movement and dynamism to the piece. It has a back closure with two black buttons that ensures a comfortable fit around the neck. This type of beadwork jewelry is traditionally made and worn by the Lumad indigenous groups of Mindanao, most notably by T'boli and Manobo women. Originally, these pieces were part of their ancestral dress (gala or folk attire). The women and men of the community wear them with great pride during cultural festivals, wedding ceremonies, sacred rituals, and traditional dances. The colors used are not random; they represent the tribe's identity. Red symbolizes courage and the blood of the ancestors; black, the earth and resilience; yellow, wealth, royalty, or energy; and white, purity and peace.