DIY One Layer Ghungur (Anklet)

I love foot jewelries, especially the ones that make sounds. So I decided to make a traditional South Asian foot jewel known as 'Ghungur' (In Bangla) or 'Ghungru' / 'Ghungroo' (In Urdu and Hindi). Ghungur is a Traditional musical anklet tied to the feet of classical Indian / Bengali / Pakistani dancers. The small metallic bells of Ghungur create sounds through the dancers footwork while they perform.

Anyways, lets back to making a ghungur! In this Ible I will show how to make a one layered Ghungur in no time!

Step 1: Materials Needed

To make a 1 layer ghungur you'll need:

1. Nylon rope
2. Ghungur bells
3. Scissor
4. Lighter.

Step 2: Measuring and Making the 1st Loop

Take a long piece of rope. Since we're making a 1 layer ghungur you can use a rope of around 1.5 - 2 yards long. But for multi layered ghungur you'll need longer rope and a bit of patience!

Anyways, take the nylon rope and burn any one ends of the rope. Do not burn both ends.

Leave about 12 inches of rope intact, from the burnt end.

Make a slip knot at the 12th inch of the rope from the burnt end. The slip knot should be big enough to insert one strand of the rope.

Step 3: Attaching the First Ghungur Bell

Now is the fun part.

Take the other end (open end) of the rope and a ghungur bell.

Insert the ghungur bell into the rope through the open end. In the previous step I said not to burn this end because it makes it difficult to insert bells through the rope if you burn the end.

Draw the bell all the way through the rope and near the slip knot.

Make a small loop with the rope adjacent to the bell. The loop should be of the same size as the slip knot's loop.

Draw the current loop through the slip knot. Don't draw the current loop through the slip knot too far, both loops should be of the same size.

It's just like creating chain stitch.

Step 4: Attaching More Ghungur Bells

Again insert another ghungur bell into the rope and draw it all the way through the rope to the other end, near the previous loop.

Create another small loop with the rope adjacent to the current bell.

Draw the current loop through the previous loop. The loop should be of the same size as the previous ones.

Continue to do the same until the rope reaches the required anklet length.

Step 5: Closing the Threading

Stop threading the bells once it reaches the required length.

Take the end of the rope (the end which hasn't been burnt).

Draw it through the last loop.Pull the end to create a knot.

The bells are now secured.

Step 6: Finishing

You can cut the rope of the open end to the same size as the other end. Burn the other end of the rope as well.

Ghungur is ready! You can simply wrap it around your ankle and close it by tying the ropes on both ends.

Ghungur's usually have multi layers and are quite heavy. But if you want to wear one just for fun 1 layer is a good choice.

Enjoy making one!

Comments

[Little Miss Cutie]

I have an Indian background. We wear bangles on our feet.

[Simran Sharma]

Happy friendship day muhaiminah :)

[Simran Sharma]

I vote for you

[Simran Sharma]

wow so nice ghungur

[shazni]

Simple and easy to follow !

They use these in Sri Lanka too

[Muhaiminah Faiz]

Thanks shazni! Oh, good to know :) what do you call them?

[shazni]

We call them 'Chilling Chilling'

[Muhaiminah Faiz]

Thanks shazni! Oh, good to know :) what do you call them?

[watchmeflyy]

Nice job! Awesome pictures as usual. ;)

[Muhaiminah Faiz]

Thanks so much!

[cle0o_143]

nice idea..was searching for something like this..but the ones i found have little bells on it..

[pjnnk]

tuyet

[mechanic_koli]

super cool,

[suprspi]

Very cool, and quite easy. I'm going to save this to show to my assistant Scout leaders.

[emilyvanleemput]

Nice!!

[Muhaiminah Faiz]

Thanks!