The Women's Jewelry in the South exhibition has opened at the Southern Women's Museum in the central coastal province of Ninh Thuan. — Photo tuoitre.vn

NINH THUAN  (VNS) — The Women's Jewelry in the South exhibition has opened at the Southern Women's Museum in the central coastal province of Ninh Thuan.

The collection includes 171 jewelry items such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, made of bone, horn, crystal, gems, gold, silver and bronze.

The jewelry dates from the 15th century, and includes pieces made by Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham, Khmer, Bana, Ede, M'nong and Stieng.

According to the provincial Cham Cultural Research Centre as well as the organisers, from the Old Stone Age, Vietnamese women wore necklaces made of simple materials like earth, stone, bamboo, wood and bone.

In the New Stone Age, they strung together seashells to make necklaces that were believed to bring luck on a working day.

From the 16th to 20th century, techniques and materials were refined. Women used long golden necklaces with faces having shapes of hearts and letters.

The Cham women in Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan provinces in the 18th century preferred to wear three necklaces of different sizes made of agate, silver or gold.

The Khmer women liked silver and bronze jewelry engraved with little flowers, Aspara dancers, Naga snakes and dragons.

Nguyen Thi Tham, director of the museum, said: "The exhibition gives information on techniques used to make jewelry it the south, as well as descriptions of the significance and meaning of these items in history."

She said the jewelry reflected women's family, status and position in society, and was also used to pray for fortune and prevent evil.

"I hope through the exhibition young generations understand the role of women of the minorities during historic periods, and contribute to preserving and promoting the country's heritage," she added.

Nguyen Thanh Thao, a student at Nguyen Trai High School in the province, said: "The collection is so informative and interesting. It provides a perspective on women's jewelry and their daily lives."

The exhibition closes on January 31, 2016. — VNS