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African Jewelry |
African jewelery is in much demand due to its special features, which makes its highly distinctive. African culture and lifestyle is an issue of much interest among sociologists and others. Africans are very much concerned about their attire, and jeweleries form an important part of their dressing. The different types of popular African jeweleries are discussed below. Cowry shells, wood, bone, beads, horns, leather, gems, glass beads and also gold and silver are primarily used to make African Jewelleries.
Jewelery in tribal Africa
Colorful beads are what makes the tribal African jewelries. Tribal women can be seen wearing beaded jewelery or “bin bins”, which they tie across their waist. Metals were also used and is still in use among them. Brass is used to make large rings, which is one of the favorite jewelery of the tibal groups. Seeds were used to make arm bands and ankle bands which had special significance. Tribal African life was marked with many ceremonies and festivals where these jeweleries, neck pieces, arm pieces and ankle bands helped in dressing them up for the occasion.
Use of Beads
Beads form an important part of the items that constitute traditional African jewelery. The Africans had a special fascination for every kind of beads which lent a beautiful color to the jewelry. They even traded palm oil, slaves, gold and ivory for the exchange of beads mostly from Venice. There are even glass beads made from glass which is used in the making of African jewelry. Unique necklaces, rings and bracelets are produced from glass which was melted to give shape to glass beads.
Use of gold and silver
Gold was found in plenty in the Gold coast, which made gold a principle metal in African jewelry. Gold and silver are nicely blended in order to make earrings, bracelets, headbands, neck pieces and arm bands. In this connection it is worth to mention the nomadic tribe called Tuaregs who made excellent designs on silver and wood jewelry. They wore silver pendants and wodden beads which were absolutely beautiful.
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Coral was used for the King as a grand adornment on his head and also robe. Loom work and embroidery is also a part of African jewelry. Leather, horns, and bones were also preferred in the making of traditional African jewelry. African ornaments are hugely in demand due to its enormous artistic appeal. For more details on African jewelry you can browse through our website www.handicraftsgifts.com.
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