April 23, 2024
EKONDA BRASS ANKLET CURRENCY, KONGA, BAKONGA
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EKONDA BRASS ANKLET CURRENCY, KONGA, BAKONGA EKONDA BRASS ANKLET CURRENCY, KONGA, BAKONGA Copper, brass, and bronze alloys were precious metals to African people. African metal smiths were producing copper before 1500 AD. European traders introduced brass and copper currencies, the mitako and ntchang, into the Zaire River basin around 1870 and these were readily adopted both for currency and as raw material. This piece is believed to date from the late 19th century. Arm and ankle bracelets were conspicuous symbols of status and wealth for young women from well before the Colonial period. Wearing such heavy bracelets on arms and legs would also have prevented women from high families from working in fields or markets. The larger pieces are among the most attractive and prized of African traditional currencies. They were worn by women as a conspicuous form of wealth, and were used for rare but major transactions. For example, Schaedler (1997) notes that a bride could be purchased for 5-20 bakonga in the early 20th century. Bakonga were cast in open sand molds and were then shaped into a cylinder while still hot. We guarantee all our items are acurately described and photographed. Most of our items come from our large personal collection and we pack them carefully for safe delivery to almost anyw We normally ship small items by US
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