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.

CIMG0935 Is this the hand of Fatuma??

Posted by ingrid Langerak on July 30, 2014 at 3:40pm

This is another subject. I am still not clear what these pendants stand for, Sarah though it had to deal with Yewish tradition for a girl helping her to get into womanhood. Now this picture is a drawing of Prince Alamayehu, son of Emperor Tewodros who was taken into capture to England after his father had committed suicide after failing to overcome the British. He is a boy, christian, and he wears female protection of an islamic background. Now does this now get even more confusing???

Comments

Eva Baby July 30, 2014 at 10:16pm

to me, the Pendants do not look like the Hand of Fatouma as I know it from West Africa, but I am not the expert (with some Imagination they could be indeed, but I think they rather look like These Pendants worn in Ethiopia in the form of an oval (or a beetle, or even a paw=? Perhaps this was the more sophisticated Version? I try to find a photo of such Pendants to Show.
ingrid Langerak July 30, 2014 at 10:24pm

I know which ones you are aiming for. Those are a high up and perhaps more like what Sarah was mentioning as to its purpose. They are also often worn on the forehead. These pendants always gives me a feeling of crocodile feet. Or like someone mentioned also like bugs like tors. But also the realization is this is a boy.
Eva Baby July 30, 2014 at 10:28pm

I found a Picture.......... yes, like bugs or paws..........(I do not know about it, it was just an idea. the Hand of Fatouma has many Versions.......actually the Tuareg pendant with 5 squares is also a Hand of Fatouma, (normally only worn by women).
ingrid Langerak July 30, 2014 at 10:40pm

It remains a question mark for the moment. I am very frustrated that I haven.t asked some jewellers at the time I was there. Of these types are not so many around, especially as I was always looking for silver items and kind of snobbed nickel. But that is how it was. I am an admirer of items in silver and skillfull work.
Eva Baby July 30, 2014 at 10:46pm

perhaps someone knows......... I do not own the "bug" necklace below which had been sold as "telsums"....(I just copied the Picture as a reference, to widen my horizon )... I had seen many of those being sold, but I did not particularly like them, as they reminded me of bugs.
Betty July 30, 2014 at 11:02pm

I have even seem a photo of him wearing this piece. And if I am not wrong, a similar necklace - or the very same is now in the V&A Museum in london. Will check tomorrow...
ingrid Langerak July 30, 2014 at 11:44pm

That can be very well his piece Betty, because he was looked after by a british officer and unfortunately he died in England at a young age of about 21 yrs. of consumption. Very sad.