NIGER TUAREG ARTISANS
Nigerien smiths are famed for their work. Both antique and modern Tuareg jewellery made by artisans from Niger is always recognisable as Nigerien. Niger Tuaregs may be making commissions for the other tribal groups in other lands but their work is actually different from that of Algerian or Malian Tuaregs and is always so no matter where they are.
It is also the case that Nigerien Tuaregs are the only group who travel and work on commissions for other groups. The other groups tend to produce silver work for their own groups and do not travel.
Nigerien smiths are famed for their work. Both antique and modern Tuareg jewellery made by artisans from Niger is always recognisable as Nigerien. Niger Tuaregs may be making commissions for the other tribal groups in other lands but their work is actually different from that of Algerian or Malian Tuaregs and is always so no matter where they are.
It is also the case that Nigerien Tuaregs are the only group who travel and work on commissions for other groups. The other groups tend to produce silver work for their own groups and do not travel.
AUTHENTIC ANTIQUE ITEMS
The real antique Tuareg jewellery known as authentic and actually worn by Tuareg women up to the mid 20th C are generally these.
From Niger are the Agadez, Zinder, Tahoua, Iferouan and Ingall crosses which signify place. It is the women who wear the crosses and they may wear crosses from any part of the country.
There are chat chat engagement necklaces with small hanging pendants (a woman would just have just one in her life). There are 'tcherots' which are prayer boxes hung around the neck. Both men and women would go to the marabout to get their prescriptive Koranic verses and then visit the artisans to choose the style of tcherots to contain it.
The real antique Tuareg jewellery known as authentic and actually worn by Tuareg women up to the mid 20th C are generally these.
From Niger are the Agadez, Zinder, Tahoua, Iferouan and Ingall crosses which signify place. It is the women who wear the crosses and they may wear crosses from any part of the country.
There are chat chat engagement necklaces with small hanging pendants (a woman would just have just one in her life). There are 'tcherots' which are prayer boxes hung around the neck. Both men and women would go to the marabout to get their prescriptive Koranic verses and then visit the artisans to choose the style of tcherots to contain it.
Tesabit earrings of all sizes were worn. as well as the diamond shaped eguru necklace. The necklaces use onyx, garnet and silver beads as well as sometimes glass beads from the Fulani or Borroro tribes. There is also asindire which are strings of coloured glass beads hung from the ears. (not shown)
From Algeria and North Mali (Adrar Des Iforas ) It is the Oubough (a triangular pendant or several triangular pendants hanging together and the conus shell Khomeissas which are most common.
The agate tanfouks and talhatimkt (see pic with crosses) are European manufactured items that came into use in the 19th C and were used as currency, traded into Mali, Algeria and then Niger. Women would string them on leather cords with the crosses. They would also use them as currency to exchange goats or sheep. Agate tanfouks with silver casings and other silver necklaces are not traditional and are not old.
It is now almost impossible to find items that are older than 100 years or even 50 years old. They have been sold to the West and can be found in museums. The Tuareg themselves do not tend to keep things for many generations. A woman will keep her own set of earrings and necklaces and bracelets for her whole life. A young girl will have new things made for her, which then will last her a lifetime or a marriage. Some do not want to keep items belonging to their mothers because they are too much of an emotional reminder. It is only Westerners who value antique tribal jewellery or jewellery passed down through generations.
Jewellery for the Western market.
The silver jewellery seen everywhere now as well as my own jewellery both silver and metal ie agates cased in silver and silver necklaces, crosses on strings of beads, bangles etc these are modern designs and have never been used tribally. But these are wonderful things and show the artisans great skills.
The making of these new items keeps our silversmiths working and feeding their families, which is greatly needed as war and drought have caused great and terrible hardship for my people. Many thanks for reading,
(c) This article may not be reproduced without the permission of Mohamed Ahnou.
From Algeria and North Mali (Adrar Des Iforas ) It is the Oubough (a triangular pendant or several triangular pendants hanging together and the conus shell Khomeissas which are most common.
The agate tanfouks and talhatimkt (see pic with crosses) are European manufactured items that came into use in the 19th C and were used as currency, traded into Mali, Algeria and then Niger. Women would string them on leather cords with the crosses. They would also use them as currency to exchange goats or sheep. Agate tanfouks with silver casings and other silver necklaces are not traditional and are not old.
It is now almost impossible to find items that are older than 100 years or even 50 years old. They have been sold to the West and can be found in museums. The Tuareg themselves do not tend to keep things for many generations. A woman will keep her own set of earrings and necklaces and bracelets for her whole life. A young girl will have new things made for her, which then will last her a lifetime or a marriage. Some do not want to keep items belonging to their mothers because they are too much of an emotional reminder. It is only Westerners who value antique tribal jewellery or jewellery passed down through generations.
Jewellery for the Western market.
The silver jewellery seen everywhere now as well as my own jewellery both silver and metal ie agates cased in silver and silver necklaces, crosses on strings of beads, bangles etc these are modern designs and have never been used tribally. But these are wonderful things and show the artisans great skills.
The making of these new items keeps our silversmiths working and feeding their families, which is greatly needed as war and drought have caused great and terrible hardship for my people. Many thanks for reading,
(c) This article may not be reproduced without the permission of Mohamed Ahnou.