The shell most widely used worldwide as currency was the shell of Cypraea moneta, the money cowry. This species is most abundant in the Indian Ocean, and was collected in the Maldive Islands, in Sri Lanka, along the Malabar coast, in Borneo and on other East Indian islands, and in various parts of the African coast from Ras Hafun to Mozambique.
Shell money has appeared in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia. The most familiar form may be the wampum created by the Indigenous peoples of the East Coast of North America, ground beads cut from the purple part of marine bivalve shells. The shell most widely used worldwide as currency was the shell of Cypraea moneta, the money cowry.
Prior to the 18 th century, various types of currency were being used in West Africa, including gold dust, silver coins, and salt bars. Shell money, however, became the currency of choice along the trade routes of West Africa and was also elevated to a symbol of status and power. Shell money was used in this region up until the 20 th century.
The use of shells in trade began as direct commodity exchange, the shells having value as body ornamentation. The distinction between beads as commodities and beads as money has been the subject of debate among economic anthropologists.
Why were cowry shells used as currency?
As a currency, these were commonly being used in the various parts of Africa. Due to this, the cowrie shells are also been recognized as prosperity. Even more, these shells also symbolize the power of density. The cowrie shells are also believed that these are to have taught the stories of respect and humanity.
Cowrie Shells as Currency The attractive white shell has all the characteristics required of money: easy to handle and carry around due to its light weight, non-perishable, good for small and large purchases. Its shape makes it instantly recognizable and difficult to forge.
Today, in some places such as the island of East New Britain (Papua New Guinea), cowries are still used as currency, but this is purely nostalgic. A way to remember part of the history.
Why is the Chinese character for money called cowry?
In China, cowries were so important that many characters relating to money or trade contain the character for cowry: 貝. Starting over three thousand years ago, cowry shells, or copies of the shells, were used as Chinese currency. The Classical Chinese character for ” money/currency”, 貝, originated as a pictograph of a cowrie shell.
What is the verb for Shell?
Verb (used without object) to fall or come out of the shell, husk, etc. to come away or fall off, as a shell or outer coat . To gather sea shells: We spent the whole morning shelling while the tide was out.
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity. Having the shell removed: shelled pecans . (especially of field corn, grain, etc.) removed from the ear or husk. Having or enclosed in a shell.
Shell can mean to fire shells at a military target, or to remove the shell from something that already has one. Skin can mean (usually in a software or industrial design context) to add a decorative surface to something , or to remove the dermis or outer covering from something.
What does shelled pecans mean?
Having the shell removed: shelled pecans. (especially of field corn, grain, etc.) removed from the ear or husk . Having or enclosed in a shell.