Collection of 18 Tuareg/Wodaabe Hair Pins

This fine collection of 18 hairpins is from Niger and date to the early and the mid 20th century. They are made of copper, brass, silver and aluminium- some with a mixture of these metals. Each is engraved on the front with geometric motifs in keeping with the Islamic proclivities of both the Tuareg and the Wodaabe.

Most are ‘signed’ on the reverse with marks of the makers – some in Tifinagh script, the script used by the Taureg.

The use of aluminium in status jewellery is accounted for by its appearance in the early part of the twentieth century. Its novelty value but also its strength but lightness made it ideal for use in jewellery.

The type of hairpin worn helped to identify the wearer as either initiated, married, a parent, as well as ethnic and regional affiliation and rank. They were worn on festive occasions rather than as everyday wear.

The Wodaabe of Niger are a subgroup of the Fulani people. The better known Tuareg, are a Berber ethnic group, traditionally nomadic pastoralists, spread out across the Sahara including in in Niger, Mali, Algeria and Libya.

Van Cutsem (2005, p. 266) and Robbins (1989, p. 530) each illustrate related two Tuareg/Wodaabe hairpins.

The 18 hairpins represent a private collection, sourced over time.  Each pin has been well chosen, and all are ethnographically correct.

They are photographed in a carved wooden cosmetics box base from the Kuba people. The box is unrelated to the hairpins, but is excellent for the display of the hairpins and will be included.