History and significance of Cowries

Cowries are small glossed porcelain like a shell. It is part of a group of seashells of a particular species.

In African legend, it can represent the goddess of protection in the Ocean. According to African legend, if you are too attached to cowries, it is believed that you carry strength from the Ocean.

Cowries are mostly found in the Indian Ocean and the Sahara desert, but is very symbolic in Africa.

Cowries are part of divination because of their white colour and origin (from water).

Many West African communities use cowrie shells as divination tools for traditional spiritual practices. The Yoruba, for example, use cowries in their divination to ask Orisha spirits for advice.

Cowries in the earlier age were used as protective charms.

Cowries are connected with feminity appearance. Their rounded shape is attributed to their connection to fertility

One of the major uses of cowries is its value as currency.

It is threaded into bracelets or long strings of forty. When it involves a large payment, cowries are packed into pouches or stored in baskets and weighed to determine their value.

In the 18th century, cowrie was the currency of choice along West African trade routes. It was a symbol of wealth and power until the 20th century.

Today, it is incorporated into jewellery, worn in the hair, and used to decorate statues, masks, ceremonial costumes, and baskets.