The Tuareg people are predominantly nomadic people of the Sahara desert, mostly in the Northern reaches of Mali near Timbuktu and Kidal. The Tuareg are often referred to as “Blue Men of the desert” – because their robes are dyed indigo blue. They live in small tribes with between 30 and 100 family members. Their inventive spirit and skillful hands spring a large number of works of art renowned in the world, notably for their marvelous silver jewelry.
Tureg Silver
Tuareg silver is the most luxurious jewelry worn in most West African countries. Many Tuareg people who can afford to wear it will save it for only the most special occasions. They wear it as an indicator of wealth, position and origin.
Tuareg silver itself is not a sterling silver, but an alloy of silver and copper, which gives it a brilliant golden tone.
Tuareg women have a superstitious fear of gold and will not wear it. Silver has thus taken its place in the Tuareg traditions. Silver jewelry is part of every Tuareg family estate. It has both symbolic and real value, serving also as savings and for (foreign) exchange.
Design and Symbol
The highly esteemed Tuareg silversmiths create a wide array of jewelry objects with the traditional Berber markings that you will see on most of the Tuareg jewelry. These etchings are clean cut, concise and geometrical, because in much of Islamic culture, realistic images are considered to be sacrilegious. The markings stand for ancient blessings of good fortune and symbols of protection for the wearer.
Every jewel is a message and contains sometimes forgotten symbols. Every necklace worn by a Tuareg woman tells stories of her people, her city.
Often, the pendant represents the palace of the sultan. The gems inside the pendant represent the sultan himself and his court. There are also symbols for the man, the woman, maternity and birth.
The Southern Cross was originally worn only by men and transferred from father to son. It is a hint of the virility and strength of the young men in relation to their traditional nomad lifestyle. The cross represents saddle pommel of their camels or in a wider view, the four cardinal directions. Traditionally a father would transmit the cross to his son saying “Son, I give you the four directions, as no one knows where your path will end.”
by Xiao Xiao @ InteractChina.com
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