African Arts Gallery

These iron blades were used as currency but also for offerings, wedding dowries and of course for major festive and ceremonial occasions. The Kirdi or "pagans", as they were called by Islamized peoples, are a population of Central Africa, mainly present in the far north of Cameroon, also in Nigeria. The Kirdi include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... Before the colonial period, transactions were made using cowries, pearls, cattle, kola nuts, but especially metals, especially iron. These primitive currencies were used in commercial and social exchanges, especially for dowries, but could also be parade objects or throwing weapons.