3 Kissi Pennies Wedding Currency Sierra Leone MATTER COLLECTION

This listing is for 3 Kissi pennies, approximately 11-15 inches each.

The Kissi of Western Guinea and Sierra Leone used these strangely shaped metal pieces as currency for more than a hundred years. (Kissi and Toma peoples; Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, West Africa). Apparently, the shape came about at least in part because it was virtually impossible to "shave" or alter the amount of metal in them without the tampering becoming immediately obvious. Larger "denominations" were made by twisting several pieces together and securing with leather strips. If one of them became legitimately broken, its value could only be restored in a special ceremony conducted by a shaman. Therefore, it was said to have a "soul." "In earlier times, marriages among the Gbande were confirmed with a Kissi penny. Once part of the bride price had been paid, the groom placed a kissi penny on his bride's head and said "THIS IS MY WIFE." See them in Schaedler's EARTH AND ORE-25000 YEARS OF AFRICAN ART IN TERRA COTTA AND METAL.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much. 

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