Cauris Currency

Coming from the Indian Ocean and mainly from Zanzibar and Maldives islands, the “cauris” arrived, during the century XVIII, west of Africa brought by the merchants diulas. This little white shell met with impressive success both in black Africa and in some Arab countries. Their possession determined the degree of fortune of their owners. Used in many cultures of the Continent, in some areas it became the only currency of exchange over the centuries. Some Lobi still use them and was a very widespread use until well into century XX. Towards the year 1.900, a hundred cauris were worth from 5 to 20 100ths of gold.

Cauri, a traditional ornament in Africa, essentially represents, by its form, the female sex, but is also employed in numerous magical and divinatory rites. It is used to make numerous amulets. It is a symbol of good luck, which is why it is used with profusion in ceremonial garments, necklaces, statues, masks, musical instruments and ornaments of all kinds. The hunter binds a thin band of fabric inserted of cauris around the butt of his weapon to get good hunting and be protected against dangers. Employed by men and women, cauri is in any case one of the positive symbols par excellence of African civilizations.