Cowrie cash days in Nigeria

-
In Nigeria, Cowry shell is believed to be the most-widely known pre-coinage currency. There are of course two species of Cowry shell that were used as currency, and their acceptability varied from one area of the country to another.
A species of the large type called “Cypraea annulus” was preferred in the West of Niger whereas in the East of Niger the smaller type “Cypraea moneta” was in common use.

Cowrie is known by different names in Nigeria. In Igbo-land, the large Cowry shells are known among the people as “Mbudambu” or “Nwefe” or “Okpokpo” which cost one-third of the small ones known as “Ayola”In Nigeria, Cowry shell is believed to be the most-widely known pre-coinage
 Besides the Igbo people, Cowry shell is also known by different names among people of other ethnic groups of Nigeria: Among the Fulani, it is known as Sedere ; owoeye in Yoruba; Igvo or Bosjes or “Bossies in  Bini.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ODO OGUN: THE HUMAN RIVER OF SAKI

-
Image
Saki was once a Yoruba refugee settlement after the destruction in 1835 of old Oyo.  Ogun (god of Iron) was from this town. Traditionally, the work of inhabitants in the olden days of Saki were hunting, farming, blacksmith, goldsmith and clay pot mouldering  According to Omoba Olawuyi Maranroola, one of the princes in the royal family of Iji-ojiele, Iganran area of Saki town who made it known that in the ancient time, the first king that reigned in Saki was Akebekun meaning someone that shouts like tiger. He was a powerful king that married two wives. There was also a powerful woman who lived in Saki at this time whose name was Omujelewu, Ekunsumi meaning her breast was so big to the extent of falling out of her clothing. This prevented men from approaching her for marriage. Her parents tried all what they could do to get her problem solved, they tried all what they could, going from one herbalist to another but to no avail. Not until her father’s friend took her to an herbalist i
Read more

Bashorun Gaa: Oyo-Ile’s Unforgotten Tyrant And His End

-
Image
The Old Oyo Empire was one of the strongest if not the strongest in the Yoruba mythology. Oyo-Ile as it was called then (not the modern day Oyo) has a lot of stories surrounding it, being the choosen place for many of the Yoruba gods and warriors, likewise kings and people of great reputation. This brings us to the story surrounding Bashorun Gaa and his reign as the Prime Minister of the Old Oyo Empire. Bashorun Gaa was an integral part of the Old Oyo Empire’s royal politics. No story of Oyo-Ile would be complete without a mention of his name. Bashorun Gaa was instrumental to the military conquests during his time as a Prime Minister of the Old Oyo Empire during the 17th/18th century. During the 17th century Oyo Kingdom, the monarchical failings came with a succession of uncharitable kings to the exalted throne. From Odarawu who was bad tempered, to Kanran, an unmitigated tyrant, then Jayin, the effeminate and dissolute, down to Ayibi, the cruel and ar
Read more

Aso oke fabric: From Head to Toe Yoruba Beautiful attires

-
Image
Aso oke fabric , (Yoruba: Așǫ oke, pronounced   ah-SHAW-okay ) is a hand-loomed cloth woven by the   Yoruba people   of west   Africa .   Aso oke  means "top cloth" in the   English language , denoting cloth of high status.   Usually woven by men, the fabric is used to make men's gowns, called   Agbada , women's   wrappers , called iro, and men's hats, called   fila . Aso oke  is from the Yoruba culture in  Ondo ,  Oyo ,  Ogun ,  Ekiti ,  Lagos , and  Osun States  in southwestern Nigeria and  Ajase  in southeastern  Benin Republic The way of making the cloth has remained the same for centuries, however new techniques and production methods have been looked into to eliminate the weight and thickness of the Aso oke cloth, and to make it more accessible for casual wear. Types of aso oke Edit Other ways that designers have made this old traditional cloth become more modern is to "structurally manipulate and combine animal and floral moti
Read more