Cowry or Cowrie shells were the first currency of Africa, in fact cowry shells were the first global currency. Trade beads also became part of the global trade network as the mastery of glass spread and were used alongside the shells but this will be discussed in a separate post.

Background

Cowries are a group of small to large sea snails which occur in areas with warm water temperatures such as the Maldive Islands. These shells have medium size teeth, not extending across the base. They are heavily margined, with base and margin white and unspotted.

Origin and Use

From 2000 BC in China, under the Hsia Dynasty, cowry shells were used as money during early feudal times and this idea is thought to have spread all over the world reaching Africa soon after through the already established trade between China, India, Europe and Africa (eg the Harrapans mention in the South Asia trade post).

The Ngorongoro Crater burials in Tanzania, excavated by several archaeologists between 1915 and 1969, contained perhaps the oldest cowrie shells known in the archaeological record of the region, as the site dated to have been active around 1000-1 BC.

Cowrie shells have also been found in North, West and Southern Africa preceding the Tanzanian shells by many years.

The earliest document mentioning cowry shells being used as a currency is called the ‘Periplus on the Erythaean Sea’ which was produced in 943 AD by a renowned Arab explorer and merchant El-Masudi.

Interestingly the use of money cowrie shells in southern Africa appears to have occurred after trade and exchange had been established with the foreigners. These shells have been at numerous sites (coastal and non-coastal) all over Africa from West Africa (Nigeria) to Southern Africa (Zimbabwe & South Africa).

Discovery of these shells often help to determine a site's political standing and status, a large volume of these shells at a location usually implies wealth and suggests an active trade network extending to the site, which is part of the reason why scholars believe that foreigners ventured into the African mainland much earlier than initially thought.

Cowrie shells were used for a long time and continued to play its monetary role until the 20th century ( for example in 18th century where you could buy a cow for 2,500 shells), cowrie shells even functioned in the same economy as metal coins. But the financial world has not completely turned its back on this popular currency. Its memory is, amongst others, kept alive in the façade of the Central Bank of West African Countries in Bamako, Mali or… in museums dedicated to money.

To this day cowrie shells are still in use throughout Africa although not as money. The shells are still believed to have occult or supernatural power and so are used in divination, traditional medicine, fertility, ancestor worship and other rituals.

Spiritually, according to African legend, if you are attracted to cowrie shells you could be family to an ocean spirit of wealth and earth. It also represents Goddess protection which is very powerful and connected with the strength of the ocean. Throughout Africa, and South and North America, the cowrie symbolized the power of destiny and prosperity.

They are also used to adorn clothing by various African tribes as shown in the pictures and used for jewellery.

Reference

Using archaeological material to supplement historical evidence - – Burger, E (2004)

https://africa.si.edu/exhibits/site/cowrie.htm https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/shell-money-0011793

https://www.nbbmuseum.be/en/2007/01/cowry-shells.htm