Ivories have for centuries been attractive as trading goods associated with wealth. Moreover, ivory symbolizes power, strength and prestige. Eelephant, the original wearer of the ivory – the largest living animal on dry land – have definitely triggered human imagination.
Political power as well as cultural and social identity is expressed through adornment. In several societies such as the Shilluk, Dinka and Nuer in Sudan, arm rings made from ivory are mainly worn by men. Ivory is valuable and for this reason decoration made from it l would usually be repaired if broken. Jewellery made of bone has an aesthetic value – wearing it meant to embellish the person. As ornaments jewellery expresses life histories, and are marking life-cycle phases and significant relationships.
Gender may also be emphasized through adornment. Through jewellery inherited, or received as gifts from those near and dear, we carry with us other persons, both the deceased and those still alive.
Through jewellery we indicate, demonstrate, nurture and further political as well as emotional attachments. In this way jewellery is involved in how we mould our presence in the world. Jewellery is casting and expressing a person’s being and standing in the present while also indicating that of the past and the future.
