Materials Used
African craftsmen use natural materials to produce tribal jewelry. Depending on the African region and what is available within that region, the materials they use include engraved stones, animal bones and teeth, animal hair, ostrich egg shells, snail shells, cowrie shells, bamboo, ivory, wood, amber, metal and glass. African craftsmen would use these materials to create beads or make unique designs, such as spirals, concentric circles, geometric shapes and patterns, etc.
How Tribal Jewelry Is Used
Other than to embellish the body, tribal jewelry is used to indicate social standing. Africans use tribal jewelry to present wealth and prosperity. For example, many African rulers would heavily layer their jewelry to indicate how wealthy they are. The more pieces of jewelry they wore, the richer they appeared. In addition, according to an eHow article titled "African Jewelry Information", Africans of the upper class would wear jewelry made of animal bones and teeth as another way of displaying wealth. Jewelry made of animal bones and teeth implied that the wearer owned a large amount of livestock.
Moreover, materials from tribal jewelry, such as beads, were used for trade and as a form of currency. For example, Africans would exchange cowrie shells for goods, livestock, and services. They also would sell these shells for money.
Moreover, materials from tribal jewelry, such as beads, were used for trade and as a form of currency. For example, Africans would exchange cowrie shells for goods, livestock, and services. They also would sell these shells for money.
Symbolism / Meanings
African tribal jewelry represents a combination of expressive, societal, and reflective culture. The type of jewelry and its designs contain many symbolic meanings that tell some unique information about the wearer, where he or she is from, and what group he or she is in. As stated before, Africans would wear heavily layered jewelry to present their social status. Also, according to an eHow article titled "The Meaning of African Beads", the Zulu people of South Africa wear large and colorful beaded jewelry because it symbolizes wealth. Specifically, wearing jewelry with yellow beads represents high rank.
Africans would also wear particular beaded jewelry that displays what group they're in because it links them to their ancestors. For example, in "The History and Aesthetics of African Jewelry", it is pointed out that people of the Dogon of Mali wore simple necklaces made of copper and alloy with a series of rings and spirals because they believe that each piece "holds a special significance to real and mystical ancestors" and "has a connection to the identity of the wearer, family and group. It is made up of different elements from the earth, keeping close to the spirits" (Camera).
As far as for special occasions, Africans would wear anklets for ritual dances and beaded belts for wedding ceremonies. As stated in "The Meaning of African Beads", jewelry that contained red beads were usually worn for those occasions as well as for funerals, tribal festivals, and circumcisions for young boys.
Moreover, the majority of African groups wear tribal jewelry that pertains to their religious beliefs. For example, Africans from the Yoruba group believed that wearing talismans, charms, and amulets would protect them from evil spirits.
Additional pieces of tribal jewelry that hold markings include bracelets made of elephant hair, which symbolizes good luck as well as protection from sickness and harm. Jewelry made from cowrie shells and cow bones also symbolized good luck, as stated in "African Jewelry Information".
Africans would also wear particular beaded jewelry that displays what group they're in because it links them to their ancestors. For example, in "The History and Aesthetics of African Jewelry", it is pointed out that people of the Dogon of Mali wore simple necklaces made of copper and alloy with a series of rings and spirals because they believe that each piece "holds a special significance to real and mystical ancestors" and "has a connection to the identity of the wearer, family and group. It is made up of different elements from the earth, keeping close to the spirits" (Camera).
As far as for special occasions, Africans would wear anklets for ritual dances and beaded belts for wedding ceremonies. As stated in "The Meaning of African Beads", jewelry that contained red beads were usually worn for those occasions as well as for funerals, tribal festivals, and circumcisions for young boys.
Moreover, the majority of African groups wear tribal jewelry that pertains to their religious beliefs. For example, Africans from the Yoruba group believed that wearing talismans, charms, and amulets would protect them from evil spirits.
Additional pieces of tribal jewelry that hold markings include bracelets made of elephant hair, which symbolizes good luck as well as protection from sickness and harm. Jewelry made from cowrie shells and cow bones also symbolized good luck, as stated in "African Jewelry Information".
