About The Koumama Family
Nomads until the 1970's the Koumamas belong to a Tuareg subclass called Inadan (people who work with fire and metals - blacksmiths). Until his 2004 death, Mohamed Koumama led the family. One of the most famous Tuareg silversmiths, he trained his sons including Elhadji, grandsons and extended family in the craft as his forefathers did for over a thousand years.
The Koumama family is famous for creating unique high quality silver jewelry using traditional Tuareg methods. The jewelry offered here is made by men related to the late Mohamed Koumama by blood or marriage. His work has been displayed in the National Museum in Niamey since Niger's independence from France in 1960.
About the Craftsmen
Although "born into the trade" Koumama men serve extensive apprenticeships under the watchful eyes and guidance of older and more experienced family members. They begin by making the simplest of designs often to see them scrapped and re-melted. Only after years of painstaking effort do they begin to make jewelry deemed suitable for sale under the Koumama name.
Mouhamed, maker of some of our most elegant pendants (e.g. Jaba, Chevrons, Crescents and Greek Key) spent many frustrating years before he saw the fruits of his labor pay off in family praise and marketplace success. You will enjoy owning the work of all the Koumama craftsmen and their individually signed jewelry!
Using only simple hand tools and implements that could be easily transported on camels (screwdrivers, nails, safety pins, files, charcoal and handheld bellows) Tuareg craftsmen have plied their trade for centuries. Although they now work in a central compound, they continue using the same traditional tools and methods to produce world class jewelry featured in traveling displays at well known museums such as UCLA's Fowler Museum, Stanford's Cantor Museum and the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. It is our pleasure to introduce some of the craftsmen whose work is displayed worldwide and soon, we hope, in your jewelry box.
About the Tuareg People
Traditionally semi-nomadic, some call Tuaregs the "Blue People" due to the indigo used to dye men's deep blue tagelmusts (turbans). The romantic image of tall regal men in flowing robes with only eyes visible riding great white camels is true - but only a fraction of the Tuareg story.Most Tuaregs live in northern Niger with fewer in Mali and Algeria. Drought and civil unrest led many to abandon herds and move to cities. Despite trading tents for mud brick houses, visits to homelands hones a keen sense of heritage and culture.
Scholars disagree about their origins but assume serial intermarriages. As Berber goat herders intermarried with south Saharans, then North African camel riders, the result was gorgeous offspring such as this youngster wearing typical Tuareg attire. Inadan's (jewelry makers) lineage links to Jews who fled Morocco.
Three ancient Tuareg classes, Nobles (camel herders), Vassals (goat herders) and slaves (now outlawed) still exist, but are inverted. Herdless nobles and vassals who resisted education lead meager city lives while educated slave descendants may do better.
Tuaregs are semi-matriarchal. Women have strong say in selecting (or divorcing) mates, family decisions, own family homes and solely inherit property. While rearing their youngsters is their first priority, Tuareg women also have small business enterprises including the manufacture of leather goods.
About Niger, Africa
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking last on the United Nation's Human Development Index. It is a landlocked, sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, a 2.9% population growth rate, and the drop in world demand for uranium have undercut the economy.
Although Niger's deserts can appear photographically tranquil as these scenes depict, a harsher reality lies just below the surface.
Niger's agricultural and livestock sectors are the mainstay of all but 18% of the population. Fourteen percent of Niger's GDP is generated by livestock production--camels, goats, sheep, and cattle--said to support 29% of the population. The 15% of Niger's land that is arable is found mainly along its southern borders with Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso. Rainfall varies and when insufficient (a regular occurrence) Niger has difficulty feeding its population and must rely on grain purchases and food aid to meet food requirements.
A French colony until 1960, the country's official language is French. The CFA Frank is the official currency. The capital is Niamey, a somewhat typical dusty Western Africa city.