two combined equal over two thirds of the ocean
water) are unique mollusks that produce mostly
smooth egg-shaped, colorful shells with a porce-
lain shine and long narrow aperture opening. The
genusCypraeidaeor cowries has approximately
200 species. Their massive breeding habit has pre-
vented them from becoming an endangered
species despite their great popularity in various
ancient cultures to the present.
Cowries can lay from 100 to 1,500 eggs in a
single breeding period. Their size can range from
1/5 inch to 6 inches; they live intertidally, conceal-
ing their shells around colorful coral reef in the
day and coming out to feed at night. They eat
mostly on algae and dead organic matter in the
tropical oceans around coral reef. There is and has
been great demand for the smaller and durable
yellow, brown, purple, and white cowrie-shell
color patterns, which have been collected and
used from ancient times in Kemet, Nubia, and
Ghana (as well as China, India, North Africa,
Germany, and Central America) up to current
times in the African Diaspora—the Americas,
Caribbean Islands, Canada, and Europe.
Use in KemetThe current historical records indicate that cowrie
shells were removed from the tropical oceans and
their shorelines because they were an excellent
food source, in addition to being aesthetically
attractive to the eyes and spirit of humans.
Archeological research has reported that
Paleolithic (approximately 750,000 years ago)
Africans drew pictures of cowrie shells on cave
walls. Archeological excavations revealed that,
during the Predynastic Kemet period, approxi-
mately 3500 BC, many of the poorest people in
gravesites in the city of Hierakonpolis were buried
with cowrie shell necklaces.
The significance of the cowrie moved from aes-
thetic appeal to currency in foreign exchange in
Kemet. Millions of cowrie shells were found in the
elaborate burial tombs of Pharaohs by archaeolo-
gists to symbolize their wealth and status. The
physically irregular outlined purple, white, and
yellowish hue characteristic of currency cowrie
shells was insufficient for its demand. Its low sup-
ply created a high demand, which increased its
value significantly as natural currency. The law of
supply and demand ruled the uniquely colored
cowrie shells’ importance and attraction as nat-
ural money in Kemet and other countries on the
continent of Africa.
For example, yellowish and white cowrie shell
natural currency was used in trade activities
among the people of Nubia Nation. Current
archeological data confirm that the Nubians were
the first builders of pyramids (approximately 220)
and that their empire was known for a high num-
ber of power queens who ruled their land.
The physical shape of cowrie shells resonated
with black people thousands of years ago as a
feminine symbol because the bottom side resem-
bles the genital orifice of a woman and the top-
side resembles a pregnant woman (when topside
is kept intact, not cut off). Thus, to the Africans,
it appeared as if from the vast ocean had come a
living organism with an outer shell that bore a
striking resemblance to the physical features
that defined the female human: sexual organs
and the womb. Therefore, the cowrie shells’
natural design primarily encouraged women in
Kemet to wear them on their clothing, belt gir-
dle, and jewelry. Cowrie shells developed into a
feminine symbol worn initially by women for
various reasons.
Cowrie shells transcended from jewelry to
amulets in the spiritualized social environment
of the burnt-golden skin people of Kemet. The
mythological system of Kemet was the spiritual
force that inspired the belief that cowrie shells
were protective icons. Women were encouraged to
wear a cowrie shell belt during pregnancy to pro-
tect their unborn and themselves from any misfor-
tune. Cowrie shells act as a catalyst to enhance the
belief that they will survive during the child-
birthing phase and have a healthy baby.
The power of belief is paramount to people of
African ancestry when there is a need to protect a
life, complete an arduous task, or connect to a
higher force (God/Goddess) in the universe. Belief
can enhance, expand, or limit a person’s existence.
Although spiritual belief systems are outside of the
realms of science, for a substantial population of
black people, a spiritual or religious system is
desired to function positively, live right, feel spiri-
tualized, and be connected to an omnipotent force.
(People of African descent are rarely atheist or
agnostic.) The spiritual, positive, and protective182 Cowrie Shells