Tuareg Sterling Silver Necklace $80

Tuareg Sterling Silver Cross Earrings $40

Tuareg Antique Silver Rings $80 Each

Tuareg Cross Necklaces (all different design patterns) $40

 

Tuareg Jewelry

We have an amazing collection of unique Tuareg jewelry.  Each piece is handmade and some are antique items.  These special treasures are quickly finding their new homes. Scroll down to learn a bit about the Tuareg people.

The Tuareg inhabit the Saharan regions of North Africa - Niger, Mali, Libya, Algeria and Burkina Faso. ‘Tuareg’ is an Arabic term meaning ‘abandoned by God’. They call themselves ‘Imohag’, translated as ‘free men. No one knows the true origin of the Tuareg, where they came from or when they arrived in the Sahara. Reputedly of Berber descent, the language of the Tuareg is Tamachek, with their own script known as Tifinagh, thought to have ancient Libyan roots. Their numbers are unclear, but estimates run between 300,000 and 1 million. The Tuareg were recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th Century BC.

The Tuareg people are the original Canaanites from the Bible. The meaning of Canaan is 'land of the purple people.' This unusual moniker is in reference to the bluish-purple vegetable dye the Tuareg use to color their clothing that subsequently rubs off onto their skin. The Tuareg are renown for their metal and leather workings. The markings and geometrical design of Tuareg crosses and Tuareg jewelry in general translates into protective symbolism. "God is the center of the universe, we are one with God" and "no matter where you go God and I shall always be with you and protect you" are common Saharan interpretations. Those of the Muslim faith believe that the arms of the cross will disperse all evil from the individual. Thusly keeping him out of harms way. Tuareg parents are known to give these exquisite crosses and beaded necklaces 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.

The Tuareg are best known for the men's practice of veiling their faces with a blue cloth dyed with indigo. Early travelers' accounts often referred to them as the "Blue Men" of the Sahara Desert, the region where many Tuareg live. It is believed that the Tuareg are descendants of the North African Berbers, and that they originated in the Fezzan region of Libya.

Tuareg Silver Daggers $80 Each

 

 

Tuareg Antique Silver and Gold Ring $150