Antique Fulani Manilla Currency Bracelet, West Africa (3159)

Description

The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one  of West Africa’slargest ethnic groups. They have created metal arm and ankle bracelets for centuries as symbols of wealth and status, adornments, ceremonial objects, and for barter. Their bracelets are present throughout West Africa. As Muslims, they cannot use figural designs and instead use abstract geometric designs.  During Africa’s colonization in the 1500s, the British, French and Dutch copied African bracelets and manufactured their own versions called manillas. Manillas became slave trade currency to purchase slaves for American and Caribbean plantations. Although European manillas were used extensively, the Fulani continued producing and wearing their manillas as currency until foreign traders were prohibited from using them as currency in1919. They were confiscated and melted down in the 1940s.

This 19th century Fulani bracelet likely originated in Mali or Niger. As nomadic people, bracelets and anklets such as this were an ideal form of currency that was wearable, easily portable, and available for occasional major purchases. This circular thin C-shaped manilla has a rounded smooth surface inside and out. It is divided visually into six sections with incised crosshatch and linear designs. The copper-colored surface has a fine patina and it is in excellent condition with signs of use consistent with its age

Click here for Blog Manillas: Former African Trade Currency.