Southern Cross Pendants

Dear Sarah, since you asked me about these- their style is not Tuareg. `Nowadays, since the Tuareg have become popular, everything that comes from the Sahara is labelled Tuareg, sometimes it really hurts. The Tuareg style is design in simplicity, clear lines, no excessive decorations. These crosses are wonderful, but it is Hassanyia style (as used by the desert people of Mauritania who speak Hassanyia-Arab). There are some who have migrated to Timbuktu (Mali). They live similarly like the Tuareg as nomads in the desert, wear a chèche (Turban), live in tents, work in the salt transportation with camels, etc. But the main difference is the language. Tuareg people were often defined as "Kel Tamashek" (people who speak Tamashek), but these people do not speak Tamashek, but Hassanyia-Arab.. Their style of jewellery (inclusive) the crosses, is decorated in a way of richness, which is not present in the original Tuareg style. Sometimes, one comes across of things that are mixed style, like bearing the typical Tuareg decorations, but also the rich decorations of Mauritanian style. These crosses of the Hassanyia and the Tuareg have in my opinion nothing to do with the Ethiopian crosses. The Ethiopian are religious symbols of Christianity. These crosses have nothing to do with religion. They are symbols of the stars forming the "Croix du Sud" on the sky. I do not claim that my opinion is the only one... but nevetheless, I am convinced of it. It is a very long time that I have helped the Tuareg in the Niger with my tiny contributions, and that I was in close contact with some Niger Tuareg in France, etc. and that I have been travelling with Hassanyia people into the desert north of TImbuktu. But of course, everyone could be wrong, this is never impossible.

Comments

Eva Baby July 9, 2011 at 1:43pm

They are great too!!! Just beautiful!
Alaa eddine SAGID July 9, 2011 at 11:24pm

The bottom and top right are really great finds!!
Eva Baby September 17, 2011 at 7:19am

Dear Sarah, since you asked me about these- their style is not Tuareg. `Nowadays, since the Tuareg have become popular, everything that comes from the Sahara is labelled Tuareg, sometimes it really hurts. The Tuareg style is design in simplicity, clear lines, no excessive decorations. These crosses are wonderful, but it is Hassanyia style (as used by the desert people of Mauritania who speak Hassanyia-Arab). There are some who have migrated to Timbuktu (Mali). They live similarly like the Tuareg as nomads in the desert, wear a chèche (Turban), live in tents, work in the salt transportation with camels, etc. But the main difference is the language. Tuareg people were often defined as "Kel Tamashek" (people who speak Tamashek), but these people do not speak Tamashek, but Hassanyia-Arab.. Their style of jewellery (inclusive) the crosses, is decorated in a way of richness, which is not present in the original Tuareg style. Sometimes, one comes across of things that are mixed style, like bearing the typical Tuareg decorations, but also the rich decorations of Mauritanian style. These crosses of the Hassanyia and the Tuareg have in my opinion nothing to do with the Ethiopian crosses. The Ethiopian are religious symbols of Christianity. These crosses have nothing to do with religion. They are symbols of the stars forming the "Croix du Sud" on the sky. I do not claim that my opinion is the only one... but nevetheless, I am convinced of it. It is a very long time that I have helped the Tuareg in the Niger with my tiny contributions, and that I was in close contact with some Niger Tuareg in France, etc. and that I have been travelling with Hassanyia people into the desert north of TImbuktu. But of course, everyone could be wrong, this is never impossible.
elmamoun ben sabek September 18, 2011 at 11:10am

waw so nice maritanian croix!!!!!!!
Son of Hmong March 16, 2014 at 1:44pm

cool!i'd like to know wheather u wanna sell them?

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Southern Cross Pendants

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