AFRICAN TRIBAL CURRENCIES 07 / The area of Guinea 07.01 Your search result
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The most famous currency form of Wester Guinea countries are the so called Kissi Pennies found in Guinea, Sierra Leone and...read more
The most famous currency form of Wester Guinea countries are the so called Kissi Pennies found in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Around 1860 to 1900 Kissi blacksmiths stated to produce very thin twisted iron rods, with a flat flower-like shape at one end and a sharpened T at the other. The T sharpened end with 2 points was called Kodo (foot) and the flower-like end was called Nileng (ear). The entire rod was called Guinzé, Kilindi or Ghisi, a bundle of 20 a Bournou.The blacksmiths gave each rod a “soul”, this coin with soul once broken had to be repaired “restore the soul” by the blacksmith.
Two Kissi pennies could by a bunch of bananas or several kola nuts; a bundle of 20 was need to buy for a cow and up to 200 bundles to marry a wife. In 1919 Between 1900 and 1920 Kissi Pennies were the only currency in the region, and only in 1940 fines and taxes could no longer be paid by Kissi Pennies. From 1925 to 1929 a bundle of 20 was wirth one British shilling.
Actually replaced by Western currencies, the Kissi pennies continue to be used or initiation ceremoinies and during funerals. “Embedded in the ground at the entrance of the village, the belief was that the Quinzé had the function of transporting the soul of the dead person to the forest of the dead” (Fusco p. 109)
read lessSmall belt with 39 brass rings from West Africa13.02.1419
- Brass / bronze
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- Elements for individual jewelry design
- Original condition
Originally used as hair ornaments that would represent wealth, or worn braided onto a leather thong as a currency belt, and used as currency in tribal trade. Some have a "snake skin" cross-hatch pattern. To add to an African collection or polished many of them make beautiful fingerrings.
Set of 10 West African brass rings13.02.1418
- Brass / bronze
- Copper & copper aloy
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- Elements for individual jewelry design
Weight: 96 gr
Brass rings from West Africa, some may be Dogon, some others from Nigeria. Originally used as hair ornaments that would represent wealth, or worn braided onto a leather thong as a currency belt, and used as currency in tribal trade. Some have a "snake skin" cross-hatch pattern.
Heavy Fulani or Gurunsi anklet01.01.797
- Brass / bronze
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- High aesthetic value
- Excellent overall condition
Fulani women wear them on their anklet. They were also used as bride monney and as currency. A similar bracelet is attributed by Glar 2012 to the Gurunsi tribe (Bukina Faso).
01.01.750
- Brass / bronze
- High aesthetic value
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
West African heavy anklet (currency?)01.01.748
- Brass / bronze
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- Excellent overall condition
Twisted Kissi pennies07.01.747
- Iron
- Antiques (object shows signs of long use)
- Museum quality (worthy to be added to a museum’s permanent collection)
- High aesthetic value
- Excellent overall condition
Very rare and interesting twisted Kissi pennies. They are most probably far over a 100 years old. A beautiful object, in perfect condition
Set of 7 Kissi pennies07.01.733
- Copper & copper aloy
- Iron
- High aesthetic value
- Fair condition (some missing, broken or repaired parts, see pictures)
Four of them without feet. The shape of the Kissi money is rather odd. Its characteristic form is a twisted rod of iron with flattened ends: a flat, hoe-like spatula at one end (Nileng) and a sharpened ‘T’ at the other (Kodo) the bundle of 20 pieces was called Bournou. Kissi pennies were in use until mid 20th century.
Ritual staff, probably Dogon07.01.705
- High aesthetic value
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- Excellent overall condition
Making a gignity stzaff for the chief was a tough job for a blacksmith. Staffs reprensent the chiefs autority. The Dogon made staffs with small bells attached to it. The bells had to wake up the spirits and make them listen to the prayers adressed to them. All staffs are connected with Nommo the Creator of the first Hogon, the blacksmith. the iron staffs were mostly place nearby the grave of the ancestor-founder of the village. (Eerhardt p. 100 - 105)
Ritual Lobi Snake07.01.704
- Iron
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
The Lobi snakes have always one or two heads. They were used as protective charms and used in transactions as money. Women who had to work in the fields attached the snakes to the legs of their calves to prevent them from snakebites.
Despite the dangers of living among snakes, many tribes in Burkina Faso have seen snakes as sacred. Killing or eating them was forbidden, while the shedding of their skin was a symbol of rebirth. The animals were more than a symbol; to some they were mediators between this world and the next. In particular, the Lobi and Gan people incorporated the snake motif into much of their brass and copper artworks, which served as decoration, protective amulets and adornment, shrine ornaments, and metal currency. (http://www.beprimitive.com/blog/welcome-to-burkina-fasssssso)
Ritual iron pole, Bukina Fasdo (Lobi?)07.01.703
- Iron
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- High aesthetic value
Origin is uncertain, but the Lobi of Bukina Faso have similar ritual poles.
Lobi snake curreny07.03.691
- Iron
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- High aesthetic value
Lobi Iron Currency in Snake form from Burkina Faso. Made by the village Blacksmith. This snake was used as a trade object by the Tribe. Coiled iron snakes were also placed atop hearths in homes, supposedly to ward off evil spirits and to protect them from a snake's bit. An important health amulet.
Lobi snake money07.01.690
- Iron
- High aesthetic value
- Museum quality (worthy to be added to a museum’s permanent collection)
- Excellent overall condition
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
Lobi Iron Currency in Snake form from Burkina Faso. Made by the village Blacksmith,This snake was used as a trade object by the Tribe.
Coiled iron snakes were also placed atop hearths in colonial homes, supposedly to ward off evil spirits and to protect them from a snake's bit. An inportant health amulet
Heavy Brass Anklet Senufo used as money01.01.596
- Brass / bronze
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- Excellent overall condition
This anklet belongs to people of higher rank and were associated with fertility. The anklet has a Senufo design. Made out of Brass ( an alloy of copper and zinc) by the lost wax casting technique.
Set of 5 Kissi pennies07.01.413
- Iron
- High aesthetic value
.For 3 the head is missing and for the 2 others the foot. The shape of the Kissi money is rather odd. Its characteristic form is a twisted rod of iron with flattened ends: a flat, hoe-like spatula at one end (Nileng) and a sharpened ‘T’ at the other (Kodo) the bundle of 20 pieces was called Bournou. Kissi pennies were in use until mid 20th century.
Arrangements with 11 Kissi pennies07.01.412
- Metal
- Iron
- High aesthetic value
Eleven single Kissi pennies arranged on a wooden base
Bundle of 10 Gouro, Baulé or Bete currencies07.01.391
- Iron
- Metal
- High aesthetic value
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
The shape of their currencies is somewhat different from the Kissi pennies. Itz uses a circular iron rod, never twisted, The ears are asymmetrical. They have been in use in the western regions of Ivory Cost
Bundle of 10 Kissi pennies07.01.390
- Iron
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
- Antiques (object shows signs of long use)
A bundle of 10 thin twisted iron rods, with a flat flower-like shape at one end and a sharpened T at the other. The T sharpened end with 2 points was called Kodo (foot) and the flower-like end was called Nileng (ear).
3 bundles - Bournous - of 20 Kissi pennies07.01.389
- Iron
- Collectible (fine or rare example of an object)
The shape of the Kissi money is rather odd. Its characteristic form is a twisted rod of iron with flattened ends: a flat, hoe-like spatula at one end (Nileng) and a sharpened ‘T’ at the other (Kodo) the bundle of 20 pieces was called Bournou. Kissi pennies were in use until mid 20th century.