Cowries in West Africa

The Need for a Common Currency

Trade had a huge role in West Africa. So much so, West Africa was known as the “Global Trading Hub”.  It was their way of getting materials or services they couldn’t necessarily fulfill, themselves. One problem. There was no common monetary value. They needed some form of money that allowed them to trade with many regions .This is when cowries were adopted into West Africa.

Early History of Cowries

 Cowries were first brought into West Africa by the Europeans. Then West Africa quickly took part in the cowrie ran trade market. Cowries were various mollusk shells used as currency. With cowries people were able to trade all across the country with many different groups. At one point the French colonial government wanted to replace cowries with francs, but the cowrie use was strong and opposition towards a new currency was strong as well. West Africans were hesitant to give up cowries because cowries represented independence and local identity. 

Why They Were Necessary

Without cowries it would be much more complicated to trade goods and services with other civilizations. Most prices for goods were measured in cowries, including slave trade. The prices of slaves were often expressed in cowries. During this period the cowrie-using economy was expanding expeditiously. In fact, the importation of cowries represented an increase in the money supply and stimulated market activity. By stimulating market supply that meant more trade was going on, which gave the need for more cowrie importation. Continuing this cycle of money flow. This then made the importation of cowries closely associated with trade. 

Effects of Cowries in West Africa

By the time everyone had begun using cowries, they had already become an everyday necessity. Cowries were used for various everyday activities like economical advances and trade. Slave trade led to a stifling economic relationship between Africa and Europe.  This is because Europe was one of Africa’s main source of income when it came to slave trade. So instead of Africa focusing on expanding and developing a diverse economy,  they focused on the derivation of labor. This then furthered the European economy while hindering long term development for Africa.

If you are interested in this, and want to learn more visit these sites: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/golden-cowrie

https://www.simon-hartman.com/post/the-history-of-the-cowrie-shell-in-africa

https://carlos.emory.edu/cash-cowries