The Cowrie: A legacy, a history, a symbol

The Cowrie

A Legacy

For as long as I can remember, the cowrie shell has always been part of my life. I have always seen cowrie shells everywhere around me. Although as a child I did not know the importance or impact that this little shell would have in my life, already at that time I had an instinctive affinity with it, which I believe is passed down from generation to generation.

The cowrie has for centuries been an important part of African history, however I could only talk about that of West Africa where I come from.

A currency

The cowrie shell was for a time a currency, a sign of wealth and abundance, although it no longer exercises this function, it is still used as a sign of affluence and wealth, for example to decorate and embellish the crowns and staffs of members of West African royalty.

Religion

The cowrie also has its importance in African spirituality, its impact cannot be ignored, used by the Ifas who are spiritual leaders, who use cowrie shells to communicate with the different deities they worship. Cowrie masks are also widely used by Yoruba egúngúns or even egúngúns, which are essentially the representation of our ancestors, ghosts. In truth, egúngúns are much more complex than that, but I will talk about them in more detail in another blog if necessary.

Fashion, Beauty and Art

Cowrie shells have always played a particularly important role in African beauty, art and fashion. Extravagant adornments, glossy pieces of art, elegant outfits, in short, their presences are everywhere; sewn into mats and/or braids of hair, sewn into clothing, embroidered, drawn or even painted on traditional fabrics, glued or painted on paintings, statues, sculptures or even totems, the cowrie shell is an existing part of the West African identity where I come from, where I grew up and that I know.