Silversmithery in Yemen

www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News Jewish Yemenite bride. (Wikipedia) Gold and silver have been traditionally known and valued as an ornamental and coinage metal since ancient times. Silversmithery is an artistic, interesting business that came into existence in Yemen long ago. Jews and coining Coinage can be cultural and historical markers, reflecting important elements of communities throughout history and around the world. In Yemen, it is said that the silversmithing was linked to the Jewish community in Yemen before 1948, when they started moving to United States and Israel. There were once Jewish communities that lived along side Muslim communities all over Yemen. Muslims learned the craft of silversmithing from these communities. A Muslim woman known as Aunt Zohrab said she was named after a Jewish neighbor. Looking back to the past, she remembers some well-known Jewish silversmiths whose names were Isaac, Salem, and Abraham. “Silversmithery is not so easy to deal with, but it is a rather laborious job which needs a creative mind, and requires honesty, discipline, and technical skills to make beautiful jewelry which satisfies all tastes,” she said. “Of course, it is a very interesting, creative job, admittedly it is also a highly profitable business.” Sliver coins as jewelry Historically, coins of higher value are made of gold and silver, while minor coins are struck from copper all A shop for selling and buying silver in Ataq Shabwa. YT photo by Nasser Salah oy. In the second half of the 20th century, gold became almost exclusively used for non-circulating commemorative or bullion coins. Silver replaced nickel alloys to make coins known as token coinage, because they do not contain precious metals and cannot be exchanged for gold or silver. Coins were the main form of currency until European banks began printing paper notes However, in Yemen, coins are used to make jewelry. Silversmiths do not depend solely on raw materials, but also use traditional silver coins, which were once currency, such as the Austrian coin known as Maria Theresa Thaler (MTT) and the Saudi Arabian riyal. Before World War II, MTTs were used in many parts of Africa. They were common from to Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and down the coast of Tanzania to Mozambique. They were also used in Yemen along with the Indian Rupee and the South Africa UK Shilling, the standard unit of money for British colonies. In the past, woman used to wear a variety of jewelry made of glass, wood and plastic beads, typically threaded on strings. The jewelry was worn on arms, necks and ears. Also, imported brass chains were worn as belts. Over the course of time, brass jewelry became locally-made and is now worn along with the old used ones. Brass was used to make bracelets and anklets. The brass chain belt came to be decor A variety of sliver belts. YT photo by Nasser Salah ated with round metal objects about the size of 5 riyal coin size. This kind of belt was called “Atif.” Later, silver was introduced as well as gold. People in rural areas enjoyed wearing silver objects-known as masafa in Shabwa because the material is cheaper and stronger than gold. Different silver jewelry... Different names Silver jewelry was made to be worn on different parts of the body. Bracelets were known as m’aasem or shumilelat_ anklets were called hegool. Ganagin are earrings that are made of large rings strung hollow balls that jingle. This design was later made into small pieces called wazaq or gomak, and headdresses were known as hamool ar-ras. Other varieties of necklaces were called lazim, qladeh, matbakh , loopeh, khoter and rufroof. In additions, belts of different sizes with square or oblong decorative pieces are called mangad. More elaborate belts are called zimam. Rings are known in Shabwa as madawoor. Also women of the past used to wear a silver circles on their noses. However, Yemeni jewelry is not just for women. Yemeni men uses to wear silver adornments on their jambiyya knives, and bangles on their upper arms, called ma’adhadah in Shabwa, also they wore a ring with agate on their forefingers. Silver with Yemeni mark Silver jewelry that is presently available is made into light and attractive shapes for women to wear at marriage festivities a Necklace known as Al-Madbakh. YT photo by Nasser Salah nd other occasions. It is undeniable that Yemeni brides in rural areas once had no choice but to wear a heavy load of jewelry from head to foot. What a heavy load for poor bride! Now days, women wear light jewelry sets for decoration. There are remarkable silversmiths in Ataq, the capital of Shabwa. They remarked that silversmithing has improved considerably over the years and there is demand in Yemen and abroad for jewelry made by experienced and skilled Yemeni hands. Silversmiths commented, “We fully appreciate Yemeni immigrants, particularly in the Gulf States who are taking an active part to publicize the good reputation of silversmithery in Yemen.” Accordingly, a new variety of reasonably-priced pretty silver objects are designed to answer the demand at home and abroad. Indeed, silversmithery is regarded as a source of income like any other handicraft, and it can be a lucrative business