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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.

Pendants, Southern Ethnies (Karo), Ethiopia

Posted by Eva Baby on September 23, 2013 at 11:27am

These are four Aluminium Pendants, old, used, by the Southern Ethnies of Ethiopia. Their sizes are approx 3,5 - 4,0 cm. I have no idea what material the coloured points are . I tried to find an example in "Aluminium Adorned" by Rudolf de Rujter, but I did not find exactly these. Later: It seems to be Karo. The Karo are a small ethnic Group in the southern regions of the Omo, following traditional beliefs (neither Muslim nor Christian).

Comments

ingrid Langerak September 23, 2013 at 12:31pm

I am sorry Eva, these type of pendants have never crossed my path, so perhaps someone else can enlighten us.
Eva Baby September 23, 2013 at 12:33pm

thanks Ingrid. I know that I have seen them already somewhere - but I cannot remember where. I will find out, perhaps it takes some time.
Betty September 23, 2013 at 7:45pm

I cannot tell you for sure either, Eva. I have seen them quite often online in the past. Borana would make sense since they do these lovely aluminium bead necklaces, but a lot of other groups use aluminum too, because it is easily available and apparently also easy to recycle. The inlaid dots look like plastic or perhaps some type of dyed resin. It would also be interesting to learn more about their symolic meaning as the decorations all seem to follow the same design. If I come across any information, I'll let you know.
Eva Baby September 24, 2013 at 2:11pm

@Thanks a lot Betty. I just saw one on Ebay, the call it simply "Amulet from Ethiopia".............what a pity it does not say more!
Betty September 24, 2013 at 4:44pm

I found another one on ebay that says they were made/worn by people from the Karo ethnic group in the south of Ethiopia. And somehow that seems to ring a bell, but still need to do some more research....http://www.ebay.de/itm/African-Tribal-Jewelry-Old-Ethiopian-Karo-tr...
Akkie September 24, 2013 at 4:46pm

Lovely pendants! I never saw this type before!
Eva Baby September 24, 2013 at 4:57pm

@thanks a lot everyone. Betty: Special thanks! Must be Karo! Wow,great!!!! Thank you so much!

I have another mystery Piece, will come soon.... But the button seems to be Sidamo (I found some Pendants made with glass pearls and such a button, see comment under that Picture.More later. am

in a hurry.
ingrid Langerak September 25, 2013 at 8:19pm

Eva, I just see a very similar pendant from Morocco (Berber) in silver on the Vivid Vault video. So it must be an islamic symbol (?) I hope you catch this note before they change the video.
Eva Baby September 26, 2013 at 9:37am

@thank you Ingrid, which Video? there are many and most are by Vivid Vault (Sarah, owner of the Website). I have unfortunately not enough time to view them all... can you tell me which one? Thanks.
ingrid Langerak September 26, 2013 at 11:53am

Eva dear, I am still so green on this website and (overall the computer technic) I have no idee which video, will plouw through it and will sign you as soon as it crosses me. Gr. Ingrid.