Elegant Talisman Necklace – 5 Telsum – Northern Ethiopia

Metal, braided leather. Each telsum is approx. cm. 5,0 high x cm. 2,6 width (1.97″ x 1.02″). The strand is cm. 50,0 long (19.69″); gr. 46,6 (1.64 oz.).

The Telsums are traditionally worn for their talismanic properties; they come in a variety of shapes – the most common being triangles, rectangles and half crescents.

Each shape is believed to protect the wearer from a different form of evil: triangular amulets for protection against the “evil eye”, and the crescent for evil spells cast under the moon. Square and rectangular Ethiopian Telsum Beads are customarily worn as prayer boxes, strung upon a single strand or yarn along with colored glass or natural beads.

boh