Tuareg Necklaces

'My son
 I give you the Four Corners of the world
 because one cannot know where one will die'

The meaning of the Tuareg crosses

For the Tuareg people of central and northern Africa the use of jewelry for protection is a mix of animist traditions from W Africa and the Islamic customs of invading Arabs. The designs reflect the austerity of desert life and with the Tuaregs relative isolation, these designs have not been altered much over time. The motifs are repeated in jewelry, leatherwork and embroidery. They work exclusively in silver and other metals, gold is considered impure. 

Once only worn by men passed down from father to son the distinctive jewelry is now worn by men and women alike. According to Muslim belief the four points of the cross disperse evil to the Four Corners of the earth. In times of drought these crosses are used as trading currency to buy cattle, cloth or food .The different crosses come from different towns and identify where people come from. These distinctive crosses are a true work of art usually signed by the craftsman on the back of each piece in tomasbeck or Arabic. 

Jewelry Detail

Left to Right:

Who are the Tuaregs