Known as Kissy Pennies - these were used as money in the Eastern part of Sierra Leone and probably also in Guinea and Liberia. Their use over many centuries in trading - there use seems to have been most prominent in the late 1800's and into the 1900's. They were also to some degree used for a time throughout West Africa, and later gained some religious use. I remember seeing these in the local Kenema market where I purchased some. These were probably last used for money in Sierra Leone in the early 1940's. They still may be used by the Sande (Bondo) and the Poro Societies in ritual ceremonies. Photo © by Chad Finer.
2 comments:
My people had their currency and writing waaaaaayyy back.
yes Kissy Pennies were used by the Kissy, and by other ethnic groups (Kpelle, Loma, Mandinka or Mandingo, Mende, Bandi, Gola) for a long time - and as best as I could research they originated at the end of the 19th century.
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