Old Berber Talisman – TAGMOUTOld Berber Talisman – TAGMOUT

Western Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Early 20th century or older. Silver; traces of green and yellow enamel . Gr. 32,5 (1.14 oz.); cm. 4,3 long x cm. 4,0 width (1.69’’ x 1.57″).

Tagmout is the centerpiece of a necklace or a fibula. Its shape resembles that of an egg, a symbol of fertility.

Berbers are the indigenous ethnic group of North Africa. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. The name Berber appeared for the first time after the end of the Roman Empire. Many Berbers call themselves some variant of the word imazighen (singular: Amazigh), possibly meaning “free people” or “free and noble men”. Today, most Berber-speaking people live in Morocco and Algeria.

For more information and similar examples, see page 26 and 27 of “A World of Necklaces: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America”, by Anne Leurquin Skira Edition.

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