Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Among the Fulani tribes of Niger young girls, surbaajo or surbabaabe, wear these heavy  anklets, jabo, often be a pair of 2 on each leg, during the Wodaabe festivals, protecting their anklet with cotton strings. These anklets are made by Haussa blacksmiths, who decor them, with traditional Wodaabe motifs, according to the owners wish. These anklets are only worn by girls until the first child birth, they are the traditional gift from mothers for their daughters. The anklet shows signs of heavy use, with some cracks and missing parts (see picture)

These heavy anklets served probably also as currency. Beautiful crafmanship in lost wax techniques. Two leopards facing each other as decoration.

These small and thin currencies was widely used throughout Southern Chad and spread even into Niger. Quiggin suggest that the form is influenced by a hoe used in neighboring Darfur and Kodofan. " it was custom to give a certain amount of hoe currency to the fiancée and her father during the engagement ceremonies" (Vitoor p.79). Our collection was acquired during may stay in Chad from 1982 to 1986. They may have been forged by the Kaba, a sub group of the sara tribe. Several ethnic groups use different names: Kokio, Koké, Nari-dul, Lar-ndul, Senne.

An interesting  forged iron scepter with 13 projectiles from the Ga-anda people of North Cameroon and Nigeria. Such scepters were probably  used by farmers as well as by priests and diners as their insignia of rank and as power objects as they are said to be invested with supernatural forces.The whimsical "rooster crest" shape, called also Baton Wanshipta, has a beautiful aesthetic shape for display.

This currency consists of a forged lingot with broadened middle section and long shaded ends with hammered decorations. They were much used for currency among the non-Moslem tribes and in the Moslem markets where pagan tribes came to trade.These forged iron bars were still in use until the second World war. The Eastern Fulani called them Losol, the Western Fulani: Tajere. (Taji pl.).

Beautiful designed spear money. The origine is uncertain, could be Chamba, nevertheless its a great design object.

Origin of object unknown, any complementary information is welcomed on my mailbox. The crown with its spiraled end looks like some Kirdi / Matakam currencies. the pole is in perfect condition and mounted on a stand could be a nice design item.

This currency consists of a forged lingot with broadened middle section and long shaded ends with hammered decorations. They were much used for currency among the non-Moslem tribes and in the Moslem markets where pagan tribes came to trade.These forged iron bars were still in use until the second World war. The Eastern Fulani called them Losol, the Western Fulani: Tajere. (Taji pl.).

Collected in Southertn Chad or Northern Caemroon. Its is not certain that the present hoe was also used as currency.

No references or documentation could be found regarding these 4 iron sheets. Despite their unknown origin, with their nice patina they make a beautiful design object. Any information regarding their origin is welcomed (info@ethnicdesign.ch)

The form inspired by identical daggers with sharpened blades, the present example has a purely monetary function. The Tula, Vere and the Dadiya are  small tribes living along the Benue river in Nigeria. These ceremonial daggers are also carried by young men in dance context.

Exceptional well conserved piece, with beautiful patina. While the hoe as agricultural tool adapt its form to the type of soil, the sex and age of the worker, etc. the hoe as exchange money may adapt more fee form. The present piece may have been used as matrimonial compensation among the Mabila.

Eleven iron rods with its extremities curved in a way to form 2 counter-set, small spirals joined with others to form a bundle. The surface shows a superb darkened shiny to crusty untouched age patina. It had no other specific function other than that of currency. From Northern Cameroon forged most likely by Kirdi or Matakam blacksmiths.

Iron gongs are used by many different groups in Africa to set the rhythm for music, establishes the cadence for rituals, religious ceremonies or simply to beat time for dancing and entertainment. This one was probably also used as currency among the Bamileke

Beside it is called Mbérembéré we have fond no litterature or web reference for this item.

Very decorative kirdi currency

According to ethnological literature the form of this throwing knife from the Magali and Falli tribe in Northern Cameroon reminds one of the cock, which plays an important role in theitr cult belief.

Throwing knife used by Marghi-Mofu, or Kapsiki of Northern Cameroun-Tchad, called  Mbérembéré.

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.

Similar model spread among various ethnic groups around the mandara mountains in Northern Cameroon. The shape of the axe may represent a stylized head of a roster, a sacred animal among the Fali tribe.

A two spiral cueency from Norther Cameroon. The front is finely ciselled. Rosty otherwise in good condition.

Fine hoe currency with nice black patina and a highly decorative shape. A similar object in Bellarini's "The Perfect Form" is ether attributed to the Backwele in Congo or the Makai of Western Cameroon.

Very special piece, an flattened iron bar with hook shaped appendices attached to it-

Eleven iron rods with its extremities curved in a way to form 2 counter-set, small spirals joined with others to form a bundle. The surface shows a superb darkened shiny to crusty untouched age patina. It had no other specific function other than that of currency. From Northern Cameroon forged most likely by Kirdi or Matakam blacksmiths.

Eight iron rods with its extremities curved in a way to form 2 counter-set, small spirals joined with others to form a bundle. The surface shows a superb darkened shiny to crusty untouched age patina. It had no other specific function other than that of currency. From Northern Cameroon forged most likely by Kirdi or Matakam blacksmiths.