Old Fine Tuareg Cross – Iférouane – Niger

Mid 20th century. Silver, gr 17,0 (0.60 oz) – cm. 8,9 x 5,8 (3.50” x 2.28”).

What is the history of the Tuareg Cross? What is its origin? What is its significance? It’s impossible to give definitive and unambiguous answers: we are in Africa, where everything is always true and possible. According to the “official collection” of the Cooperative of Artisans of Agades, the Tuareg Crosses are 21 , each of which indicates a location of origin. The only exception is the Karaga Cross which is inspired by the typical Tuareg bed. There are only 4 certainties:

• the word ” Cross” is a term attributed by Europeans and is totally unrelated to the Tuareg language;
• the Cross must be strictly in silver or silver alloy. Silver is the metal of Allah, as opposed to gold , which is considered a demonic metal. Mohammed has formally disapproved all metals except silver. Rings , seals, amulets made of gold, copper or iron are prohibited in the Muslim tradition;
• the archetype, the first, the true, the progenitor of all Tuareg Crosses is the Cross of Agades, but also those of Iférouane , Tahoua , Zinder and In Gall are considered “anciennes”, that means truly, real, authentic, original. All other crosses derived from these five;
• Tuareg crosses were passed down from father to son with the words, “I give you the four corners of the world, because one cannot know where one will die”.