Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Azalagh n°1 Mauritania

Posted by marie jose Opper on May 7, 2012 at 6:27pm

Azalagh ( long necklace, length 100-120 cm). Beads are made of gum arabic, charcoal, incense, powdered cloves, and coloring. All ingredients are mixed with water to form a paste from which the beads are made. They are strung while still wet.Additional small white cubes made from Cyperus Rotondus have been added to the necklace. Cyperus Rotondus is an odoriferous bulb used to scent clothing and to ward off insects.

Comments

Chantal May 7, 2012 at 9:47pm

Wonderful necklace and thanks for the explanation.Did you buy it in Mauritania? Is it used for special occasions?
Eva Baby May 7, 2012 at 10:52pm

Beautiful! I have enjoyed some of Mauritanias culture in Timbuktu and surroundings (our camel trekking guide, resp. friend, is from Mauritania and we lived in his house in TImbuktu). Therefore I am very interested in these pictures, resp. items. I had gum arabic in Mali, but they chewed it... Also love Mauritanian music (Dimi Mint Abba), etc. Will look at the other pictures. thanks for posting them! It looks fantastic.
marie jose Opper May 8, 2012 at 4:17pm

Hello, Chantal. Yes, I bought it at a market in Nouakchott.

Izligen (the plural of Azalagh) are meant for everyday use.
Harald May 10, 2012 at 3:02pm

I enjoyed these photo's of scented beads of you! Never saw them before, so very interesting to read about their existece.
Linda Pastorino May 18, 2012 at 10:30pm

this is very beautiful. Thank you for showing this.
Eva Baby May 19, 2012 at 12:04pm

Had to come back to this again, it is really fantastic. Something like this is now on top of my wish-list....