COWRIE DECORATED HIDE

[thinreadline]

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]

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

[thinreadline]

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

Yes thats a possibility certainly

[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.

[thinreadline]

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]

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

[thinreadline]

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]

This is from Ethiopia, I have seen them there.

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

[thinreadline]

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 ?