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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.

old earrings Mali 2

Posted by Eva Baby on October 3, 2013 at 10:39am
These are very old earrings from Mali, as worn by various ethnies, primarily Peul (Fulani) and Sonrai. They are huge (9 x 7 cm) and normally worn on a string of leather or wool, which is passed over the upper ear. I can comfortably wear them as bracelets, even on my "difficult" right wrist (which is a bit larger due to an accident lang ago in Thailand, when I fell from the bike and fractured the wrist). I took the photo in the state I got them, will try to get them a bit nicer (if this is possible with this material).
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Comments

  • Alaa eddine SAGID November 6, 2013 at 11:17am

    Very nice

    I know that many aluminium jewelry from Africa was once made in precious metals, have you ever find similar earrings made out from silver or gold ? PIctures?

  • Eva Baby November 6, 2013 at 11:24am

    @thanks Ayis (Alaa Eddine), no, these are usually worn by Sonrai, Fulani, Bella, and in that size (I wear them as bracelets!)  I have never seen them in silver. Possibly they exist among wealthy people, but then probably smaller. They are huge and very thick.  I cleaned them, they became quite shiny. But when wearing together on one wrist, they scratch on each other (which can be seen after a while..).

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