Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Manillas are copper or bronze horseshoe shaped armlets, which served as a general purpose currency in West Africa (Guinea Coast, Gold Coast, Nigeria) from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. Manillas were used for ordinary market purchases, bride price, and as burial money. Cowry shells, valued at a small fraction of a Manilla, were used for smaller purchases.

Generally referred to as "Afo hoe currencies" or "galmas", these rare and enigmatic objects are the largest and heaviest tribally smelted and forged iron artifacts in Africa. Found only in Nigeria, and primarily used by the Afo and Ngas people as traditional currency for bride price or land transactions/disputes, these huge, mysterious masses of high quality wrought charcoal iron seemed to disappear from the Nigerian cultural milieu as suddenly as they appeared. Accurate dating of these is somewhat difficult, as relevant literature is scarce - the consensus seems to be 18th to 19th century, or earlier. The present example has a minor crack (see pictures) otherwise in good condition.

Generally referred to as "Afo hoe currencies" or "galmas", these rare and enigmatic objects are the largest and heaviest tribally smelted and forged iron artifacts in Africa. Found only in Nigeria, and primarily used by the Afo and Ngas people as traditional currency for bride price or land transactions/disputes, these huge, mysterious  masses of high quality wrought charcoal iron seemed to disappear from the Nigerian cultural milieu as suddenly as they appeared. Accurate dating of these is somewhat difficult, as relevant literature is scarce - the consensus seems to be 18th to 19th century, or earlier.
 

A thick cooper piece wound into a spiral, with bulbous ends. It was probably used in major transactions such as such as a groom paying bridewealth to the family of his bride. it could be melted and forged it into different tools that were necessary in day to day life, making it a preferred and useful standard of value.

During precolonial times it was quite frequent for traditional currencies to adapt the form of a torque. The present model is most likely  from the Mumuye and Chamba ethnic group.

These brass rings were tied together with a thick rope and worn as a belt. This form was recognized and used as currency and could be broken up for smaller transactions. The present belthas over 150 brass rings. They can be hung or arranged in infinite compositions for presentation.

A sixty centimeter long rope to which 54 elongated iron pieces that " look like wound up tobacco leaves" (Bellarini p. 172).

The etnic groups of Northenr Cameroon, where this object has been collected, have similar items.

Manillas are copper or bronze horseshoe shaped armlets, which served as a general purpose currency in West Africa (Guinea Coast, Gold Coast, Nigeria) from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. Manillas were used for ordinary market purchases, bride price, and as burial money. Cowry shells, valued at a small fraction of a Manilla, were used for smaller purchases.

Manillas are copper or bronze horseshoe shaped armlets, which served as a general purpose currency in West Africa (Guinea Coast, Gold Coast, Nigeria) from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. Manillas were used for ordinary market purchases, bride price, and as burial money. Cowry shells, valued at a small fraction of a Manilla, were used for smaller purchases.

Manillas are copper or bronze horseshoe shaped armlets, which served as a general purpose currency in West Africa (Guinea Coast, Gold Coast, Nigeria) from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. Manillas were used for ordinary market purchases, bride price, and as burial money. Cowry shells, valued at a small fraction of a Manilla, were used for smaller purchases.

Manillas are copper or bronze horseshoe shaped armlets, which served as a general purpose currency in West Africa (Guinea Coast, Gold Coast, Nigeria) from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. Manillas were used for ordinary market purchases, bride price, and as burial money. Cowry shells, valued at a small fraction of a Manilla, were used for smaller purchases.

Manillas are copper or bronze horseshoe shaped armlets, which served as a general purpose currency in West Africa (Guinea Coast, Gold Coast, Nigeria) from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. Manillas were used for ordinary market purchases, bride price, and as burial money. Cowry shells, valued at a small fraction of a Manilla, were used for smaller purchases.

The form inspired by identical knifes with sharpened blades, the present example has a purely monetary function. The Vere and the Dadiya are two small tribes living along the benue river.

Generally referred to as "Afo hoe currencies" or "galmas", these rare and enigmatic objects are the largest and heaviest tribally smelted and forged iron artifacts in the world. Found only in Nigeria, and primarily used by the Afo and Ngas people as traditional currency for bride price or land transactions/disputes, these huge, mysterious  masses of high quality wrought charcoal iron seemed to disappear from the Nigerian cultural milieu as suddenly as they appeared. Accurate dating of these is somewhat difficult, as relevant literature is scarce - the consensus seems to be 18th to 19th century, or earlier

The Idoma live in the Benue River aerea of Nigeria. This doubble Idoma currency is a rare piece with a high aestetic value. The surface has brush made lines. This simple yet striking design expresses perfectly the "perfect form" that is African tribal currency, a sculptural object of beauty that speaks of places.

A thick cooper piece wound into a spiral, with bulbous ends. It was probably used in major transactions such as such as a groom paying bride wealth to the family of his bride. it could be melted and forged it into different tools that were necessary in day to day life, making it a preferred and useful standard of value.

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.).
 

The Idoma live in the Benue River aerea of Nigeria. This doubble Idoma currency is a rare piece with a high aestetic value. The surface has brush made lines.