Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

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

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.