Antique African Lobi Tribe Forged Iron Snake Money Currency Burkina Faso, Africa

Description

Antique tribally hand forged and hammered undulating iron snake money made and used as African tribal currency by the Lobi people of Burkina Faso. Iron snake money was used by individuals during larger more expensive transactions. The Lobi people would wear these forge snakes attached to their legs to protect themselves from snake bites. The Lobi revered the snake for its mystical and spiritual properties as well as its association with the Lobi spirits known as the Thila. In Lobi animism, Thangba Yu is the creator of all living things. Lobi peoples have no direct contact with Him, but are dependent on nature spirits known as Thila, invisible intermediaries that can harness their supernatural powers towards good or evil. They set rules soser, which dictate how a Lobi should behave in important aspects of life. Good antique rustic used condition with a rusty patina this Lobi currency snake measures 21 7/8 inches long by 0.54 inches wide. Please visit my ebay store Mountainamma's Marketplace to browse thousands of items from Africa and beyond.