1300 BC
Cowry shells, a form of currency
Long before the invention of coins and banknotes, human societies used natural objects as instruments of exchange. Among them, the cowrie shell – a small white shell – has been the currency of choice on several continents for more than three millennia. Its durability, portability and symbolic value made it a monetary instrument, and it was still used in some regions until the 20th century.
The cowrie, a universal currency before its time
Originating mainly in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean – particularly around the Maldives – the cowrie shell has travelled far beyond its natural habitat. This shell circulated in the major trade networks of Asia, Africa, Oceania and even, sporadically, Europe. As far back as the 13th century BC, bronze objects found in China display cowrie shell motifs, proof of its ancient monetary use.
They were imported from the Maldives and Sri Lanka by the Portuguese, who spread them to West Africa, where they were used by the local population, replacing local practices. Cowrie shells were used throughout West Africa to trade goods. In the empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai, cowrie shells were used as a unit of account for transactions, taxes and international trade. In India and South-East Asia, they were also used as a measure of value for consumer goods and in the spice trade. This unifying power made them one of the first ‘global’ currencies in history.
In the 18th century, they rapidly became the currency of reference for the purchase of slaves in the slave trade. In the second half of the 19th century, a man in Benin was exchanged for 80,000 cowrie shells, and a hen for 100. At that time, 1,000 cowrie shells were equivalent to 1 ecu, or a week's work for a labourer in France.
Why were cowries adopted as currency?
The success of the cowrie shell is based on several characteristics that make it an excellent monetary substitute :
- Solidity : the shell is resistant to wear and tear, transport, and parasites.
- Handiness : its small size makes it easy to handle.
- Divisibility : several cowries can be combined to form variable sums.
- Identifiability : its smooth, shiny shape is instantly recognizable.
Almost identical in size, they were often grouped together in necklaces or bracelets to form larger units and were both easily identifiable and forgery-proof. Their Latin term, monetaria moneta, (monetary currency) confirms this aspect, and their use as money shows how societies selected objects that had both practical and symbolic value.
Because of the large volumes required to transport them, cowrie shells were the main commodity chartered by the French East India Company, whose ships were supplied from the Maldives and Sri Lanka and then traded on the West African coast. They were also used to pay harbour dues. The closure of the French East India Company in 1769 meant that traders had to buy cowrie shells from the English or Dutch at a higher price than it cost to import them directly.
The use of cowrie shells gradually came to an end in the 19th century with the abolition of the slave trade and the colonization of Africa, during which the colonial powers imposed their own monetary system.
In addition to their monetary function, cowrie shells were also highly symbolic, associated with fertility, wealth and power. They were often found in wedding gifts, ritual ceremonies and royal tombs in many African societies. This link between image, value and power gave the cowrie a profound economic and symbolic dimension.
FAQ - Cowrie shells as currency
Where do the cowrie shells used as currency come from ?
Most cowrie shells come from the Maldives and other parts of the Indian Ocean, where they were collected and then exported on a large scale.
Why were cowrie shells considered a reliable currency ?
Their resistance, recognizable shape and ease of handling made them an excellent monetary tool in a wide variety of contexts.
Are cowrie shells still used today ?
They are no longer used as active currency, but are still used in traditional rituals, art objects and symbolic cultural practices.
To learn more about cowries, read the full article