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.
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The central set comprising a bracelet, necklace with pendant, ring, earrings and a head ornament is supplemented by a hair comb (left upper corner) to complete a festive Habesha woman's outfit (see picture of Habesha bride (See pic below). There are also traditional style filigree crosses and copies of - maybe Italian - gold coins. I have often seen Eritrean diaspora women in the West and in ERitrea wearing such pieces. Somehow I had always assumed these adornments were imported from Ethiopia or even Eritrea. Looking at the shops other goodies (the owners were no Ethiopians or Eritreans) the pieces are more likely made in India or perhaps the gulf states? Maybe Ingrid can comment of the where these contemporary renderings of traditional jewellery hail from...
Very nice Betty. I have seen the set worn on the head / forehead on a Tigrina-Facebook page, and it was said to be typically Tigray Jewellery. I guess, once more, this is overlapping to or from Erithrea. the Tigrina brides wear this too, and after the weddings they wear it on festivities. I have no idea where it is manufactured, for this we Need Ingrid! I just notice you have a photo below where it is worn more into the face. THat Looks very nice too. How bout the Price for These sets? Isee with joy also one of my beloved hairpins on your Display..........(smile)
Unfortunately, I had no time to enter the shop and enquire about the price, Eva. However, it was a gold shop and if this set is made of gold rather than gilded, it will be quite expensive. I will see if I can find some online offers.
Well, Tigrinya is actually a language. In Eritrea it is also the name of an ethnic group which is divided by a national border from the Tigray people in Ethiopia (same language, culture, social structure) In pre-colonial times this was one region that was only subdivided into regional groups each with a strong sense of regional and clan identity (e.g. Hamassien, Akele Guzai and Seraie on what is know the Eritrean side). Well explained on the German version of the following wikipedia article: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigray_(Volk)
The overarching term Habesha people (a common form of self-ascription) includes Tigrinya speakers people on either side of the border as well plus the Amhara speakers of Ethiopia.
Thank you for the explanations No, please do not go back to inquire about any Prices nor look for them online. it was just a question being curious, I do not Nneed to know, as I have no money available anyway. Well Tigray is to me in first order a province of Ethiopia, in which I had a godchild during a bit longer than . 10 years. that is why I like Tigray items, as I had a Special Connection to Tigray. I did not want to mention this but in the context it makes sense. My question aobut Prices was more for General Information, because I thought you saw the Prices on small tags. As this was not the case, it is not worth looking for them but thank you for your offer..
Oh yes, I remember your special relationship with Tigray, Eva!
Well, I was interested in the origin of these places and did a quick online search. It seems that at least three categories of Habesha wedding jewellery exist side by side:
1) Gold and silver pieces made in Addis or Asmara (as Ingrid correctly wrote and I remember passing a jeweller's shop in Addis every day while I was there displaying such pieces). You can get the silver pieces (pendants for example) at reasonable prices from a few ebay dealers based in Addis.
2) Solid gold pieces coming from Dubai (made there???) most likely sold according to the gold price.
3) Gold or silver plated metal pieces from China (see for example here).
Hi Betty, I just looked at your link. I am shocked, These are made in China? It does not say in the shop that it is from China, how do you know? Anyway, I am really disappointed. I remember some years ago (at least 15 or more) I went to our monthly Special "Rosenhof Market" in the search of a real Tuareg Cross. (Someone had told they were sold there). I found a shop (a stand as it is a market), and they did have Tuareg crosses, but I found them "strange". they were expensive, CHF 200.00 a Piece (that is enormeous for the time back 15 years!). While I was torn between my strong wish to buy one and my doubts about them being "strange", the shop owner told me, that they were made in China! I was so shocked, I still remember. Of course i did not buy any, but at least, the shop owner had been honest, which had confirmed my inner Feeling that they were "strange" Inspite of being Chinese imitations, he sold them at CHF 200.00 a Piece, that was crazy! Why do the Chinese Imitate jewellery from Africa? What for? Dubai is also strange, but at least it is closer to Ethiopia.........
The items shown on the shop window (your photos) are Kind of nice! I prefer smaller pieces, but some of them are realy nice. But I would not want any Dubai manufactured pieces, if I want Ethiopian ones even if they are nice.
So, as a conclusion to my comments below, it is probably safer to buy silver pieces, having a bigger Chance that they are genuine ?
You may be right...
If you click on an item you will see that they are shipped from Hongkong.
Another big Chinese Online seller also offers similar pieces. Why? I guess simply because there is a market for it. Many Eritreans and Ethiopians live abroad. buying real gold jewllery is costly and reserved as wedding gifts. For parties the fakes are OK. They look flashy and are not too expensive.
Quite a few Eritreans I know here in Germany have business relations in Dubai, Jemen and SaudiArabia. These countries (perhaps not so much Dubai) are also home to large Eritrean diaspora communities. Maybe that is the link...
Thanks for the Explanation - that makes sense. Perhaps we also have some Erithrean Shops in Switzerland, and I have not yet noticed. I know that since approx.1-3 years, Switzerland is flooded with Erithrean refugees, they make more than 50% of all our refugees.....(surprising isn't it). Perhaps I should search for Shops here, a good idea.
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