TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    Mali Wedding Beads
    20th c.

    The Fulani are also known as the Fulfulde or Peul. It is estimated
    that they number close to 1,000,000 people.

    The Fulani are primarily nomadic herders and traders; the major
    concentration of Mali's Fulani population is around the city of
    Mopti. Most urban Fulani tend to be sedentary, commercial
    people, whereas the rural Fulani tend to be migratory herdsmen.
    The Fulani have great respect for beauty; beauty is considered
    very important and great pride is taken in self adornment.

    Symbols and patterns are drawn onto the face and hands and
    feet, lips are colored with a dark pigment, beads are worked into
    headbands and necklaces, beads are also woven into the
    woman's elaborate hairstyle - all form past of the attributes of
    personal adornment.

    These brilliant colored old beads were made in Czechoslovakia
    for the African trade, probably 50-75 years ago. They are worn in
    Mali for weddings, and throughout West Africa.


Ethnic Group:             
    Fulani/Peul Society


Country of Origin:          
    Mali

Material:                       
    Molded Czech teardrop glass beads

Deminsions:


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