Cowrie shells

[olufemi_baina_ayo]

Cowry shells (also spelled cowrie), are marine snails of the genus Cypraea (family Cypraeidae), found chiefly in tropical regions. The shell itself is almost always smooth (a few species have granular shells) and more or less egg-shaped, with a long, narrow, slit-like opening (aperture). All varieties have a porcelain-like shine (except Hawaii's granulated cowry) and many have colorful patterns. Sizes range from 5 mm (1/5") for some tropical species to 15 cm (6") for the tiger cowry, Cypraea tigris.
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Cowries (esp. Cypraea moneta) were used as a currency in Africa (Ghanaian cedi in Ghana named after cowry shells) and elsewhere, such as in China where the shell or copies of the shell were in theory used as a means of exchange. They are also worn as jewelry or otherwise used as ornaments or charms, as they are viewed as symbols of womanhood, fertility, birth and wealth. Many find the shiny, porcelain-like shells pleasing to look at.

Cowry shells are sometimes used in a way similar to dice, e.g., in board games like Pachisi, or in divination (cf. Ifá and the annual customs of Dahomey). A number of shells (6 or 7 in Pachisi) are thrown, with those landing aperture upwards indicating the actual number rolled.

Cowries have also been used in the recent past as a frame over which sock heels were stretched for darning. The cowry ridges allowed the needle to get under the cloth more easily.

The Ojibway aboriginal people in North America used the cowry shells (which they called sacred Megis Shells or whiteshells) in Midewiwin ceremonies, and the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba, Canada is named after this type of shell. There is some debate about how they traded for or found these shells so far inland, away from the natural sources. Oral stories and birch bark scrolls seem to indicate that they were found in the ground, and/or washed up on the shores of lakes or rivers. The cowry shells so far inland may indicate the use of them by an earlier tribe or group in the area, and an extensive trade network in the ancient past. Petroforms in the Whiteshell Provincial Park may be as old as 8,000 years, and there are questions about how long the shells were used in that area as well.

[olufemi_baina_ayo]

Cowrie Shells
The Currency of Africa

Cowrie shells were the most popular currency within Africa. Pictures of cowrie shells adorned cave walls. The Egyptians considered them to be magical agents and also used them as currency in foreign exchange transactions. Archaeologists have excavated millions of them in the tombs of the Pharaohs.

In the thirteenth century, cowrie shells were brought to Africa from the Maldives in the Indian Ocean by Arab traders. They first came to Egypt, then across the Sahara to the western Sudan region. Later, they were brought in by Dutch and English traders through the Guinea Coast ports of West Africa.

The Europeans were astonished that the Africans preferred cowrie shells to gold coin and in places where gold was the international unit of foreign exchange, cowrie shells were used to purchase small necessities.

Cowries were used in many other ways. One use was as special-purpose currency: bridewealth, payments for fines, divination ("the money of Ifa"), funerals, initiation into secret societies. Another was as decoration: on clothing, drums, divining chains, headdresses, ritual masks and furniture, and in games and in computation.

This article states:

"In the thirteenth century, cowrie shells were brought to Africa from the Maldives in the Indian Ocean by Arab traders. They first came to Egypt, then across the Sahara to the western Sudan region. Later, they were brought in by Dutch and English traders through the Guinea Coast ports of West Africa."

I have seen this myth constantly repeated and perpetuated over time. And let us look at the contradiction in the article. In one part it states:

"Cowrie shells were the most popular currency within Africa. Pictures of cowrie shells adorned cave walls. The Egyptians considered them to be magical agents and also used them as currency in foreign exchange transactions. Archaeologists have excavated millions of them in the tombs of the Pharaohs."

First of all if they are on CAVE walls in Afrika then that bespeaks to a certain degree of antiquity in and of itself. Most of those cave painting go back 12,000 to 70,000 years. Another contradiction is that they say that millions of them were found in the tombs of the per aa (pharoahs). Now the above stated is fact. Knowing this how can they say that owo (cowrie shells) were BROUGHT to Afrika by crakkka arabs?

Interesting.

[olufemi_baina_ayo]

Brother Awotunde...you know that any foreigner that infected our motherland will take what belonged to us,and make it their own because they have nothing of their own to claim!

Originally Posted by Awotunde

This article states:

"In the thirteenth century, cowrie shells were brought to Africa from the Maldives in the Indian Ocean by Arab traders. They first came to Egypt, then across the Sahara to the western Sudan region. Later, they were brought in by Dutch and English traders through the Guinea Coast ports of West Africa."

I have seen this myth constantly repeated and perpetuated over time. And let us look at the contradiction in the article. In one part it states:

"Cowrie shells were the most popular currency within Africa. Pictures of cowrie shells adorned cave walls. The Egyptians considered them to be magical agents and also used them as currency in foreign exchange transactions. Archaeologists have excavated millions of them in the tombs of the Pharaohs."

First of all if they are on CAVE walls in Afrika then that bespeaks to a certain degree of antiquity in and of itself. Most of those cave painting go back 12,000 to 70,000 years. Another contradiction is that they say that millions of them were found in the tombs of the per aa (pharoahs). Now the above stated is fact. Knowing this how can they say that owo (cowrie shells) were BROUGHT to Afrika by crakkka arabs?

Interesting.

[maat_free]

:-X

again, bro. Awotunde...the loudest sound is silence, no?

do you hear it?

Beeni. I am aware sister Akua Maat. Not sure what you mean when you state the greatest sound is silence and your question. I may be a bit slow on this one (lol) but could you expound?