Cowrie or cowry (pl. cowries) is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails in the family Cypraeidae. Cowrie shells have held cultural, economic, and ornamental significance in various …

Cowrie shells were traded for goods and services throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, and used as money as early as the 14th century on Africa’s western coast.

Apr 11, 2025 · Discover the history and significance of cowrie shells as both currency and cultural symbol across Africa, Asia, and modern fashion.

Aug 24, 2025 · Cowrie shells, admired for their unique beauty and enduring qualities, are more than mere natural objects. These distinctive shells have captured human fascination across centuries, …

Oct 30, 2023 · What is a Cowrie Shell? The word Cowrie or Cowry comes from the Sanskrit word kaparda which means small shell. The term is generally used to classify marine snails and gastropod …

Jan 3, 2026 · Cowries graze upon algae or sponge, licking the surface with a rasp-like toothed belt called the radula. The radula is roughly 15% the shell length, a few milimeters wide, and worn teeth …

Cowrie, any of several marine snails of the subclass Prosobranchia (class Gastropoda) comprising the genus Cypraea, family Cypraeidae. The humped, thick shell is beautifully coloured (often speckled) …

Discover the rich history and symbolism behind cowrie shells, from their origins in ancient civilizations to their modern meaning & significance.

May 2, 2025 · A Ghanaian cedi coin featuring the image of a cowrie shell. The exchange of cowries reached its peak when European merchants and enslavers got involved, leveraging the currency to …

Discover all the different types of cowrie shells and their amazing history. Learn where they come from, how they were used in ancient times, and what they mean today.