Currency Yëwaa Culture Abelam, Maprik Region, Papua New Guinea

EXCHANGE CURRENCY Yëwaa Culture Abelam, Maprik region, Papua New Guinea First half of the 20th century Shell, cotton and cowry shells Diameter: 11 cm This coin consists of an eventful ring made from white shell. It is embellished with a braided cotton band adorned with nine cowry pearls. It was used on the occasion of weddings, funerals or commercial exchanges. So the young fiancé had to offer a set of six rings to his future in-laws in compensation. They symbolized the four limbs of his future wife, his head and his bust. If all the rings were not accepted, it promised strong relations between the two new homes, if on the other hand they were accepted all six, it meant a symbolic rupture of two families. These coins required a particular know-how of the order of ritual, reserved for only a few villages. Text and photos © FCP CORIDON