Mongo - DR Congo

Anklet / Currency - Bronze - Mongo - Ekonda - Kongo DRK

Austrian Collection
R. Herzog Vienna

Such heavy foot rings, called 'Konga,' were cast by the blacksmiths of the tribes mentioned above in central Congo from bronze (copper-tin alloys of various grades). Flat wooden molds, already carved with characteristic ridges, were pressed into the sandy ground. The metal was poured into these negative molds. The cooled plates were then hammered by the blacksmith over a wooden log into a round, open shape and fitted directly to the woman's leg. The women's legs were wrapped at the lower edge of the rings with textile to prevent injuries. Only women from wealthy upper-class families wore such foot rings. These 'Konga rings' were also used as a form of currency ('primitive money') in central Congo in earlier times.