Anklet / Currency – Bronze – Mongo – Ekonda – Congo DRC

These anklets were worn by women of the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo. They were status symbols and were also used as currency. They were made by pouring hot copper and tin into molds set in the ground. Once formed they were removed and bent around trees until they had the appropriate size. Because they were heavy, women would wrap fabric and leaves – called Litelele – around their feet to keep from harming them. Typically they were worn for celebrations and relatively short periods, but on occasion brides might actually wear them for months at a time!

Provenance: former private German collection.