Old Kamwe Money
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- Title Old Kamwe Money
- Category Utilitarian
- Medium Iron
- Dimensions 12.75"h x 1.25"w
- Year Completed Undated
- Description These are what old Kamwe money, before modern currency looked like. They were commonly used to pay a bride price. Near the Kamwe people in the Mandara hills, copious iron ore allowed for an iron industry. Iron bars were formed into utensils or tools. They are associated with the blacksmiths, a low-class clan, no one else married in. Blacksmiths were also known to do funeral-related work. Today the melting of ore is rapidly disappearing, as iron from old cars and drums is readily available. Blacksmiths of various villages still forge tools and compete with externally produced tools imported by the Hausa. The iron bars have lost their former function as limited purpose money, although they still serve as ceremonial gifts.
- Artist Kamwe People Northern Nigerian
- Credit Gift of Roger and Dottie Mohrlang
- Location Library Art Storage G10
- Accession Number 2024.0007.a-b
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Status
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