Showmima; [Author]

Saleha Akter Urmi; [Facilitator]

My jewellery (embroidery)

Fultola (embroidery)

Embroidery (EMB)

Decorative

Showmima brought with her only one keepsake from her wedding: her bol guaai hanful (earrings). Among all her wedding jewelry, this was the only piece she choud save. She is happy with her memory.

Jewellery is precious to Rohingya women, like many women around the world. Gold jewellery is given to brides as mohorana (dower) when they are married, usually during the fultula-toli (engagement ceremony). The mohorana is a form of financial security for the woman: a source of support on which she can fall back in the event that she is widowed or divorced. While heavy silver jewellery was common among the Rohingya in older days, it is rarely seen today. Delicate gold jewellery, often with floral motifs, is preferred.