Very Rare! Antique 1950s Snake Vertebrae Shaman Necklace: Naga Mala from Nepal

Description

Very Rare! Antique 1950s Snake Vertebrae Shaman Necklace: Naga Mala from Nepal.
This is a real Jhakri's (a shaman from Nepal) necklace from the 1950s. This sacred spiritual necklace protects him from attacks from evil spirits. The Jhakri wears a white shirt and a long white skirt symbolizing purity, and various protective necklaces.
This sacred necklace has been well used and is loosely strung. It has some fabric and a bell ornament (no ringer) attached at the bottom. There are decorative red marks on the fabric that are quite faded.
Roughly 20" long (not including the bell ornament, which adds another few inches).
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Naga (Nag) Mala
A snake vertebrae necklace is also called a Naga or ‘Nag Mala’. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva’s cobra necklace which is named Vasuki (The serpent King). The name Naga is used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism to mean a snake.
Nag Mala's are primarily used in healing ceremonies, for protection, to connect the shaman with the spiritual energy of the spinal column (kundalini), and to connect the shaman with the sacred snake gods and goddesses who help inform their work.
A Nag Mala is used by the Jhakri shaman to keep away demons and evil spirits. When a snake vertebrae necklace is worn by the Jhakri shaman it will destroy any negative energy.
A Jhakri will also use a Nag Mala to diagnose a patient’s condition (A Jhakri is also a medicine man). It is believed the snake vertebrae necklace will vibrate when brought close to the patient who is suffering from a supernatural attack. The type of vibration gives clues to the nature of the problem.
A Nag Mala must be created in a specific and traditional manner. The dead snake is stretched out and buried in the ground. During the burial a mantras and other prayer rituals and empowerment's are directed toward the snake vertebrae. After a few months the vertebrae are dug up cleaned and washed then threaded together and dedicated to the Naga.