(back to top)

Amulets, or personal protective objects, are worn by Tuareg men and women as protection against natural and supernatural forces. They may contain pieces of paper with verses from the Koran, the Islamic Holy book. Tuareg women tan, dye and sew all leather items while men make metal objects. This necklace probably belonged to a blacksmith, who believed that it would protect his family and livestock from harm.

Over a tenth of Africa’s population is nomadic or semi-nomadic. In addition to the Sahara Desert, nomadic peoples are concentrated in Eastern and Southern Africa among such cultures as the Turkana and Masai of Kenya, and the Zulu of South Africa.