Ananklet, also calledankle chain,ankle bracelet orankle string, is anornament worn around theankle.[1] Barefoot anklets andtoe rings historically have been worn for at least over 8,000 years by girls and women inIndus Valley, inIndian subcontinent where it is commonly known aspattilu,payal, golusu and sometimes asnupur. They have also been worn byEgyptian women sincepredynastic times. In theUnited States both casual and more formal anklets became fashionable from the 1930s to the late–20th century. While in Western popular culture both younger men and women may wear casualleather anklets, they are popular amongbarefoot women. Formal anklets (ofsilver,gold, or beads) are used by some women as fashion jewellery.[citation needed] Anklets are an important piece of jewellery in Indianmarriages, worn along withsaris.
Occasionally, anklets on both ankles are joined by a chain to limit the step. This practice was once prevalent inSoutheast Asia, where the effect was to give a "feminine" short tripping step. Today, a few Western women follow this practice, but rarely in public. More rarely still, some people wear "permanent" (e.g.,soldered) ankle chains and even connecting chains.[citation needed]
Anklets were worn as an everyday ornament by Egyptian women of all social classes inancient Egypt from as early aspredynastic times. The name for anklets was not much different from that of bracelets beingmenefret (mnfrt) except by adding a phrase to denote connection to the feet. They were made of different metals and in multiple shapes, with more expensive metals likegold being more common among the rich, while less expensive ones likesilver andiron more common among lower social classes. During the fourth, fifth, and sixth dynasties, anklets were usually made of beads threaded in several rows held together with spacer-bars. Anklets were also worn by dancers like those shown in the tombs ofKagemni, Ti, and Akh-hotp.[2]
In the early–20th century, anklets were commonly worn by Egyptian women of inner cities. They were calledkholkhal (pl.khalakheel) and were most commonly worn by women ofAlexandria, along with a traditional dress covered by a one-piece black cloth calledmelaya leff.[citation needed]
Today, anklets are not commonly worn by Egyptian women in public due to increased Islamic conservatism that has spread inEgypt where wearing anklets in public is generally perceived as being immodest. Anklets are still commonly worn by dancers in public events.[citation needed]
Bronze anklets are visible as early as theBronze Age in temperate Europe, in an area roughly along the Danube, in the Alpine foreland, up the Rhine to the Atlantic, and also down the Rhône (Sherratt, 2001). These were found among hoards in these areas, along with other bronze items characteristic of this time (c. 1800 BCE onwards), and are attributable to theTumulus culture that spread across this region.
Periscelis (Ancient Greek:περισκελίς), was an anklet worn by ancient Greek and Roman women. The plebeian women wore anklets of silver, whereas the patricians of gold.[3][4]
Neolithic andChalcolithic periods at Mehrgarh indicate use of anklets.[5] Jhon Marshall describes dancing girl statue as being adorned with armlets, bangles, and anklets[6] A first-century CE epic ofTamil literature calledSilappatikaram (The Story of the Anklet) dealt with a woman whose husband was killed while trying to sell one of her ruby anklets to a dishonest goldsmith. The anklets are described in great detail in the poem.[how?]
Rajasthani women wear the heaviest type of anklets, which are silver and signify tribal adherence. The women wear these as costume jewelry, but also to show their bravery as a tribe against other rival tribes. The fashion for heavy anklets is declining in India, but is still common in rural areas.[citation needed]
In the eastern Indian state ofOdisha, which is known for its traditional jewelry, there are varieties of anklets known as Paunji Nupur, which are worn by women. Another variety, which covers the entire foot, is known as Padapadma. In ancient times men also wore anklets. Traditionally, onlyKshatriya (royal/warrior caste) persons can wear gold anklets, and other castes wear silver anklets.[citation needed]
The word "Payal" (payalak) and "Jhanjar" are words for the anklet inHindi andPunjabi respectively.[citation needed]
In Bengali language anklet is called "nupur" and widely worn in theBengal region – eastern Indian state ofWest Bengal and Republic ofBangladesh.
In Eastern cultures, particularly India, anklets are worn on either or both ankles.[7]
The dancers wear anklets. Anklets are worn on both ankles.[8]
Anklets can be made ofsilver,gold, and other less precious metals as well asleather,plastic,nylon and other such materials.[citation needed]
Metal anklets are of two types: "flexible" and "inflexible". Flexible anklets, often called paayal, pajeb or jhanjhar inIndia, are made by tying links in a chain. Subsequently, sonorousbells can be attached to the chain, so that the wearer can make pleasing sounds while walking. Inflexible anklet are usually created by shaping flat metal sheet to the ankle.[citation needed]
Salangai orghunghru are small bells thatBharatanatyam,Kathak,Kuchipudi, andOdissi dancers tie around their ankles.
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Scuba divers sometimes wearlead anklets to stop a tendency for their legs to float up when diving in adrysuit. Convicted criminals may wearankle monitors aselectronic tagging devices while being confined to a specific venue.
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