Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

This is a cut pile Kuba cloth. Graphically distinctive and richly evocative of central Africa, Kuba cloth is handwoven using the strands from raffia palm leaves. The raffia strands are dyed in a variety of earth tones using vegetable dyes. Historically, the Kuba people have used their cloths as skirts, wrappers, sleeping mats and even currency. 

This is a cut pile Kuba cloth. Graphically distinctive and richly evocative of central Africa, Kuba cloth is handwoven using the strands from raffia palm leaves. The raffia strands are dyed in a variety of earth tones using vegetable dyes. Historically, the Kuba people have used their cloths as skirts, wrappers, sleeping mats and even currency. 

This is a cut pile Kuba cloth. Graphically distinctive and richly evocative of central Africa, Kuba cloth is handwoven using the strands from raffia palm leaves. The raffia strands are dyed in a variety of earth tones using vegetable dyes. Historically, the Kuba people have used their cloths as skirts, wrappers, sleeping mats and even currency. 

This is a cut pile Kuba cloth. Graphically distinctive and richly evocative of central Africa, Kuba cloth is handwoven using the strands from raffia palm leaves. The raffia strands are dyed in a variety of earth tones using vegetable dyes. Historically, the Kuba people have used their cloths as skirts, wrappers, sleeping mats and even currency. 

This is a cut pile Kuba cloth. Graphically distinctive and richly evocative of central Africa, Kuba cloth is handwoven using the strands from raffia palm leaves. The raffia strands are dyed in a variety of earth tones using vegetable dyes. Historically, the Kuba people have used their cloths as skirts, wrappers, sleeping mats and even currency. 

An African sickle throwing knife called "Sengese" from Northern Cameroon. This type of weapon was used in Cameroon as well as in Nigeria. This knife has a heavy forged blade with carved decoration and has its original tribal patina. The handle is covered with a raphia rope. 

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.

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. 

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).

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.

Very rare and interesting twisted Kissi pennies. They are most probably far over a 100 years old. A beautiful object, in perfect condition

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.

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.
 

Sword of uncertain origin. The wooden handle is missing, it is in its original state, quite rusty ,but once cleaned it becomes a nice design element.

The Ngala have developed a special excution knife whose design was likely taken over from the Banza throwing knife (Fischer p. 109). the multi-bladed Banza knife was believed to have great magical powers.

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

This item has been collected in 1982-84 in Southern Chad. According to Hamillton galery, these iron or brass forms were used by several peoples of No. Nigeria and Cameroon, including the Chamba, Mumuye, Mambila, Idoma and Montol. These forms were recognized and used as currency.

This item has been collected in 1982-84 in Southern Chad. According to Hamillton galery, these iron or brass forms were used by several peoples of No. Nigeria and Cameroon, including the Chamba, Mumuye, Mambila, Idoma and Montol. These forms were recognized and used as currency.

This item has been collected in 1982-84 in Southern Chad. According to Hamillton galery, these iron or brass forms were used by several peoples of No. Nigeria and Cameroon, including the Chamba, Mumuye, Mambila, Idoma and Montol. These forms were recognized and used as currency.

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.

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.