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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.

personal gris gris desert Mali

Posted by Eva Baby on October 19, 2013 at 12:40pm
These I showed already some years ago, some People might remember. I add them here as I discussed the Ethiopian bone Pendants with Ingrid. These are leather "gris gris" made on the spot (when I was there) in the Sahara (somewhere North of Timbuktu) to protect primarily against the Djinns of the desert. The wooden one is a pendant from Timbuktu, showing a cross (metal string hammered into the Wood). Instead of the eyes on the Ethiopian bone Pendants (and beads) they use the mirror, to turn the bad Spirits away. These were made by nomad women of the Family we stayed with and who are friends of us (not sold to us, no commercial gris gris). Several old ladies of the Family made them, who are in high esteem. (no young women made them, it must be the older ones...)
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Comments

  • Eva Baby October 19, 2013 at 1:05pm

    Thank you very much for the Feature, Sarah.

  • ingrid Langerak October 19, 2013 at 2:31pm

    I see your gris-gris. One in the middle looks also from bone or wood with inlay. You really have travel to exotic places. So loads of fond memories.

  • Eva Baby October 19, 2013 at 2:42pm

    @Ingrid thank you. The black one is made of Wood with inlay, one of the traditional ways to make jewellery in Mauritania and Northern Mali. I had a beautiful bracelet in this style, but unfortunately after years of use, it broke (unrepearable). I have Family there (my husband).

  • ingrid Langerak October 19, 2013 at 2:47pm

    like I did in Ethiopia and Eritrea, so you really get into the core of the country and opening-up to you.

    Such a rich experience.

  • ann October 20, 2013 at 10:22am

    Nice story Eva

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