Ingal Pendant

$100.00

Artist: Koumama Family

Region / Country: Africa / Niger

This traditional design pendant is named after the village of Ingal where the nomads gather each September for the Cure Salee, the Salt Festival. The pendant is handcrafted and set with a triangular piece of glass which symbolizes the village. It is made of fine (99%) silver and hand engraved, giving each pendant a slight variations in the design. The pendant itself is 1 inch wide and 2 1/2 inches long. The chain is strung with black onxy and handmade silver beads and has a silver clasp. The length of the chain is 18 inches.

The pendant is available in red glass (SKU: TJ-2006) and blue glass (SKU: TJ-2007). Red Ingal earrings are available as shown in the photograph. (SKU: TJ-3001)

Artist: Koumama Family

Region: Africa

Country: Niger

The Koumama family is Tuareg which traditionally has been semi-nomadic. Some call Tuaregs the "Blue People" due to the indigo used to dye men's deep blue tagelmusts (turbans). Most Tuaregs live in northern Niger with some living in Mali and Algeria. Today the ancient Tuareg classes, Nobles (camel herders), Vassals (goat herders), Inadan (blacksmiths) and slaves (now outlawed) still exist. However, following the famines of the 1970s and 1980s and civil unrest, many have been forced to abandon their herds and take on labor and lifestyles they might traditionally have rejected.