Two million Tuareg traditional herders were historically nomadic tribal peoples who traversed the Sahel region and the Sahara Desert in an area the size of Western Europe in the North African countries of Mali, Niger, Libya, Algeria, Chad and West African Burkina Faso. Called the “Blue Men of the Desert”, they are famous for their blue skin from the indigo-dyed garments they wear for protection from desert sun and wind. As followers of Islam, they are prohibited from creating figures or masks and use their artistic talents to create exceptional functional metal, wood, and leather objects embellished with abstract geometric designs including elaborate horseshoe shape manillas with massive terminals decorated with hand chasing. Their unique massive horseshoe shape manillas were not made for daily wear but were used to display personal wealth, currency for livestock and other items and for dowries ritual events and celebrations and were easy to carry and transport their wealth. After decades of colonization, destabilization, drought, famine, economic and political shifts and migrations to urban areas, the Tuareg nomadic lifestyle has changed dramatically.
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Large C-shaped Tuareg manilla made from sand moulds, has massive finials with 12 facets with detailed hand-etched and hammered designs including raised circles.
Antique horseshoe shaped Tuareg “King” manilla, magnificent metalwork, 10 faceted flat finial ends with traditional etched and hammered geometric designs, excellent condition, fine patina.
Tuareg horseshoe-shaped manilla with bold hammered and incised decorative motifs unique to individual Tuareg tribes Divided in sections, with etched designs, circular cutouts, ending knot finials. .
Tuareg horseshoe shape manilla with bulbous rounded faceted ends, hand hammered fine details.
Finely fashioned Tuareg slim circular-shaped manilla bracelet/anklet, hand incised striated decorations, and faceted rounded beads at the open hoof-shaped terminals ends.
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