Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Diversity of beads. 2. Folklore and beads. 3. Trade. 4. Beads and gender. 5. Beads and the emerging realities. 6. Beliefs, utility and values of beads. Conclusions. Bibliography. Index.

The oral history, gender questions, social dynamics, and even inter- as well as intra-tribal relationships of the tribes have been described in detail in the book. The tradition of beads has been imbedded in the lives of the people of north-east from time immemorial. The continuing popularity of beads has led to manufacture of spurious products. Despite the onslaught of globalization even in rural areas, the popularity of beads has not diminished among the people. Beads are also used as a bartering item and usually take the place of money even now. The book describes the economic, cultural, and ritual significance of beads; their historical relation to migration; and popular beliefs, classification mechanism and ethnic specifications of beads.