Tuareg Jewelry
Yesterday, I was perusing the national and international news on the internet (my husband calls me a news junkie and rightfully so) and an article caught my eye. It was about the Tuareg people and their fight or struggle against the Mali government. So what is the big deal about that and why did I have an “ah-hah” moment? It is because the Tuareg people and their jewelry are essential to me in designing my Artifacts Collection. Had I not been wrapped up or so passionate about studying ethnic jewelry and its history, I surely would not have given this article a second glance. The word “Tuareg” would have had no meaning to me. I would have been clueless. So here is why the article is so important to me (and it also gives me the opportunity to share some history with you).
The Tuareg people are predominately nomadic people of the Sahara Desert in Africa, mostly in the northern area of Mali near Timbuktu and Kidal. They are often referred to as the “Blue Men” of the desert because their robes are dyed indigo. They live in small tribes with between 30 and 100 family members and keep camels, goats, cattle and chickens which graze the land. They are a proud race of people, famous for their fighting abilities and artwork. However, they are staring urbanization and resettlement in the face.
The Tuareg are renown for their metal and leather workings. Their distinctive markings and geometrical designs in their crosses and jewelry generally translates into protective symbolism. It is believed that the arms of the cross will disperse all evil from the individual and keep them out of harm’s way. Tuareg parents are known to give these exquisite crosses and beaded jewelry to their children when they are about to depart from home but they are worn by all as a form of good luck and protection. Jewelry from the nomadic Tuareg are handcrafted using silver and nickel and without the use of modern machinery.
While I don’t believe in using my blog as a political forum but as a jewelry designer and lover of ethnic jewelry, I have to wonder what effects government policy and sedentary lifestyles will have on the Tuareg culture, people and their traditions. Strength is so obvious in the jewelry produced by these magnificent camel-caravan people, both in the geometric designs and workmanship. I shudder to think that this strong ethnic jewelry will lose its beauty and uniqueness, and go to the way of mass marketing and production using modern technology and machinery. We have seen it happen time and time again (Kiffa Beads are a great example). Mass reproduction can so often ruin the integrity and honesty that are reflected in originals. I could go on and on for days on that subject but wisely won’t.
Of course I will continue to look for older Tuareg pieces (and even some contemporary pieces) to utilize in my jewelry designs. I hope today’s blog will give you a greater appreciation of Tuareg jewelry and invite you to check out my Artifacts Collection for Tuareg designs.
As I sign off, I have a great smile on my face because I know a Tuareg caravan will unexpectedly show up on the horizon with camels and family in tow before slowly melting into the Sahara desert again. Wow, what an image!
