bugdi

plural bugdis

1. A type of ear ornament typically worn on the upper helix of the ear. They are often small and delicate, featuring intricate designs, gemstones, or pearls. They can be made from various materials like gold, silver, or even oxidized metals.

   To keep off spirits heads of rice called bugdi were worn and are the origin of the present ear ornaments of that name.

   1885, GAZETTEER OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, Volume XVIII, PART I: POONA, GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS, page 549

   2 more examples

   Among the more distinctive ornaments of the Marāthā country may be mentioned the ketak or flat circular ornament of gold worn on the crown of the head, the bugdi or pendant worn in the upper part of the ear, the jawā chi garsulī or necklace of gold beads like grains of barley, the jowā or large thick silver ring for the toe and the virudi or balled ring for the fourth toe.

   1907, R. V. RUSSELL, I.C.S, editor, SEONI DISTRICT (CENTRAL PROVINCES DISTRICT GAZETTEERS), volume A, ALLAHABAB: PIONEER PRESS, page 142

   Gold ornaments that are worn in the three holes made in the ear lobe include ghantti-sorpolli, bugdi, karabam, pakhe, veddi, balio, penedi, gumlio, kalafuram, pilio and buttus; those worn in the central lobe are called gume.

   2008, A B de Bragnanca Pereira, Ethnography of Goa, Daman and Diu, Penguin UK, →ISBN, page 83