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COWRIE SHELL- pronounced kou're or cowry A marine gastropo~ belonging to the family of marine snails found in the tropics. They may also be found in the Indian Ocean. Cowrie shells can grow to about 4 inches in length. Cowrie shells are associated with Yemaya, a Yoruba ocean spirit who is also known as earth mother and wealth. Cowrie Shells are symbolic of spiritual grounding and protection. They are also similar in appearance to the female genitialia and are associated with fertility.
Used for currency, they were the most popular form of money in Africa. Ancient Khamites (Egyptians) revered them as mystical. Archaeologists have excavated millions of them in the tombs of the royal families in Khamit. Cowrie Shells where popular in China as well, made in gold and bronze.
In the 13th century Cowrie Shells were brought to Africa from the Maldives in the Indian Ocean by Arabs trading. They first came to Khamit, then across the Sahara Desert to the western Sudan Region. Later, they were bought in by the Dutch and English traders through the Guinea Coast Ports of West Africa.
Africans used Cowrie Shells as well as gold coins, the shell were mostly used to purchase small necessities. Cowrie Shells were also used in many other ways, one use was as; bride wealth, payment for fines, divination (known as the mouth of Spirit) or (money ofIfa) funerals and initiations into secret societies. Another use was as decorations on clothing, drums, divining chains, headdresses, ritual masks, and furniture and also in games.
By the 1960's such forms of money like Cowrie Shells were disappearing from use in most countries. Since the late seventies Cowrie Shells have become very power-filled symbols among African descendants and other cultural expressions here in America and through-out the world.
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