ITEM #:
4029
ETHNICITY:
Kusu
ORIGIN:
Democratic Republic of Congo
MEDIUM:
Copper.
DIMENSIONS:
13.5" (34.3 cm).
CONDITION:
Good.
PROVENANCE:
Private Estate Collection - Florida, USA.
CATALOGUE NOTE:
Kusu Boloko Currency.
These U-shaped currencies, known as Boloko Currency made by the Kusu people, were made from a section of copper rod and each end was beaten into a thin disc-like section. These currency items were made by the Kusu blacksmiths.
The value of a Kusu Boloko was specified as follows by Alfred Mahieu in Numismatique du Congo 1485-1924 (Brussels, 1924):
1 Konga / Boloko currency bought a billy goat,
2 Konga / Boloko bought a man slave,
3 Konga / Boloko bought a female slave,
10 Konga / Boloko constituted a normal dowry for a wife.
For a similar example see:
– “The Perfect Form”, by Roberto Ballarini, page 295.
– “African Currency”, by Adolfo Bartolomucci, page 90.
ITEM #:
4029
ETHNICITY:
Mbole
ORIGIN:
Democratic Republic of Congo
MBOLE CURRENCY ANKLET:
This Kusu Boloko currency form, served as pieces of currency in the Congo. They were used for rare, but major transactions.