COWRIE DECORATED HIDE

thinreadline · 2nd October 2012, 02:20 PM

I know this is not a weapon but seems interesting and I wondered if any members have seen anything like this . It is thick rough hide decorated mainly with small cowrie shells and occasional old glass beads . It is certainly old and at firrst I thought it might be a waist belt / sash as it has a 'tail' though I cannot see any trace as to how it might have fastened . The 'body' is is 90 x 25 cm and the 'tail' a further 45 cm.

Iain · 2nd October 2012, 02:36 PM

No idea I'm afraid - cowries were used as currency at least in the Sahel regions. Some sort of money belt?

thinreadline · 2nd October 2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

No idea I'm afraid - cowries were used as currency at least in the Sahel regions. Some sort of money belt?

Yes thats a possibility certainly

trenchwarfare · 3rd October 2012, 04:34 AM

Very similar, to Native American "Wampum". These were belts, or pieces of leather, decorated with beads, and shells, and used for currency. If I recall correctly, Manhatten Island was purchased with mostly Wampum.

thinreadline · 3rd October 2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

Very similar, to Native American "Wampum". These were belts, or pieces of leather, decorated with beads, and shells, and used for currency. If I recall correctly, Manhatten Island was purchased with mostly Wampum.

Thats interesting ... so do you mean I might be able to swap this for a piece of New York real estate ? Any offers ?

colin henshaw · 3rd October 2012, 08:42 AM

This is an article of costume from East Africa. The beads and cowries sewn on to hide are typical...

thinreadline · 3rd October 2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

This is an article of costume from East Africa. The beads and cowries sewn on to hide are typical...

That's useful Colin ... someone else suggested West Africa .. Yoruba and sent a picture of cowrie decorated hide vest and cap .. do you think that is also a possibility ?

tribalarms · 3rd October 2012, 06:30 PM

This is from Ethiopia, I have seen them there.

Here is a very similar example from the National Museum in Addis Ababa.

thinreadline · 3rd October 2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tribalarms

This is from Ethiopia, I have seen them there.

Here is a very similar example from the National Museum in Addis Ababa.

That looks very much from the same stable ... but what is it exactly ... equipment, clothing ?

2nd October 2012, 02:20 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	COWRIE DECORATED HIDE I know this is not a weapon but seems interesting and I wondered if any members have seen anything like this . It is thick rough hide decorated mainly with small cowrie shells and occasional old glass beads . It is certainly old and at firrst I thought it might be a waist belt / sash as it has a 'tail' though I cannot see any trace as to how it might have fastened . The 'body' is is 90 x 25 cm and the 'tail' a further 45 cm. Attached Images

3rd October 2012, 06:30 PM	#8
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	This is from Ethiopia, I have seen them there. Here is a very similar example from the National Museum in Addis Ababa. Attached Images

2nd October 2012, 02:36 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	No idea I'm afraid - cowries were used as currency at least in the Sahel regions. Some sort of money belt?

3rd October 2012, 04:34 AM	#4
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Very similar, to Native American "Wampum". These were belts, or pieces of leather, decorated with beads, and shells, and used for currency. If I recall correctly, Manhatten Island was purchased with mostly Wampum.

3rd October 2012, 08:42 AM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	This is an article of costume from East Africa. The beads and cowries sewn on to hide are typical...