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African Necklaces
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Jewelry in Tribal Africa
Jewelry play important roles in African life. Indeed two key functions of jewelry in traditional African culture are worthy of mention.
Clothing and dance.
From Egypt with belly dancing to West Africa with seed rattles. "Bin bins" (beaded jewelry) were made and tied on the waist. Similar large rings made from brass were popular jewelry pieces among women. The traditional coming of age ceremonies were engulfed in dance. Arm bands and ankle bands made with seeds would rattle as the dancer stamped her feet and waved her hands gracefully to the music.
African Trade Beads
Africans have always loved jewelry. Such was the craze for beads that such colorful beaded jewelry were traded for gold, palm oil, ivory and slaves. These beads were made mostly in Venice and are today known as African trade beads. Large amounts of these beads are still found in the Gold coast (now known as Ghana) and have become highly prized pieces of African jewelry.
Glass Beads
Bida in Northern Nigeria is known to produce unique African jewelry pieces. Necklaces, bracelets and rings are made from glass. Most times it is recycled glass, from empty soft drink bottles, beer bottles. The glass is melted over a mud furnace heated with charcoal with hand bellows made from cloth and iron piping. The glass is hung over the wide hot furnace and as it melts, it is carefully wrapped round an iron rod. The resulting beads are large, irregularly shaped but bear the marks of genuine craftsmanship.
Coral Jewelry
Jewelry from coral is deeply rooted in traditional Benin culture. In fact, the King was dressed in a regalia made of coral beads. Benin history had it that the King brought the coral beads from his journey in the sea. However, contact with the Portuguese make it possible that the jewelry beads came from European traders. Similarly the Queen had head gear made with coral beads. Today coral sale is restricted and in order to keep up with the tradition, the artisans have come up with imitation coral beads made from a secret mix of silica. Nevertheless, coral remains a core part of this tradition and the King still adorns his coral robe, royal chiefs are decorated with coral necklaces and marriages are conducted with exchanges of coral beads.
Gold and Silver Jewelry
Large deposits of gold in the Gold coast, now called Ghana made the use of this precious metal an integral part of life. From headbands to necklaces, earrings and arm bands and rings, the jewelers used gold heavily. It was even claimed that the King's clothes were sprinkled with Gold dust. Many of the tribes in Ghana today are actively selling gold jewelry.
Up in the North of Africa, the Tuaregs are known for their distinctive African jewelry designs. This nomadic tribe adorn jewelry made of intricately designed silver pendants and wood beads.
Embroidery and Loom work Jewelry
South African jewelry involves a lot of beading, embroidery and loom work. Indeed many impressive African jewelry designs come from this part of the continent and it is amazing the amount of time and creativity that is put into creation of these unique jewelry pieces. Recently, jewelry especially bangles made from old telephone wires have gained popularity among buyers of South African jewelry.
Cedarartworld will keep you updated on the latest trends in African jewelry and we hope to bring you close up with the artisans as they string that necklace, weave that choker, work the loom for that bracelet and hammer that gold bangle. And if you are interested in any of our African jewelry pieces you can place your orders by filling out the form in the contact page. |
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