Katanga Cross: Symbol Of Secrets, Power And Valuable Currency Of The Congolese People
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - There is an ancient tradition associated with the Katanga Cross and copper in this part of Africa.
A Katanga Cross is an important symbol of Congo and its name is related to a rich copper mining region – Katanga, in the southeast Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Copper mining in Katanga dates back over 1,000 years and the mines of Katanga have been operating for centuries. The copper was exported as far as the coast of Angola to the south and to Europe, as early as the 16th century.
In the past, copper extraction and casting was the privilege of a mysterious organization called “the copper eaters”, members of a sort of secret society, a “bwanga”. They were the only ones who were able to remove the copper ore and work it.
The copper ore was mined around the middle of May, during the drought season, and the production of this precious metal was surrounded by rituals, professional secrets, magic, and mysterious traditions.
Those who controlled the production and distribution of the copper cross currencies were the group leaders - ‘The Elders’.
The precious metal was continuously dug by “copper eaters” until 1903.
Katanga Crosses are solid pieces of copper, which were once used as a form of currency by various ethnic groups in the Katanga region in the 19th and early 20th centuries and during the years 1960-1963, these crosses were used on the Flag of Katanga, used by the State of Katanga (1960-1963) as a national symbol.
Local coppersmiths poured molten copper into sand molds and made the crosses in various sizes, usually about 20 centimeters (7.9 in) across, and weighing about 1 kilogram (2.2 lb).
One cross could pay for five to six chickens, two lengths of good quality fabric, nine pounds of rubber or six axes and four to six crosses was enough to pay for one goat. For ten such crosses, one would buy a gun.
For centuries these crosses were used as currency and indications of people’s wealth; they paid for trade and were often used as dowry payments.
However, the exact value of crosses in units of weight is unknown.
Many of the Katanga Crosses have been discovered in burials and it is believed they were used in local rituals. These crosses were also considered a symbol of power and dignity.
The Congolese people considered non-ferrous metals such as tin, copper, and lead as very valuable materials.
Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
Earliest Document Written 2,100 Years Ago May Rewrite History Of The Basque Language
Archaeology | Nov 17, 2022
-
Papyri Was Still In Use After The Arab Invasion In Egypt
Archaeology | Jul 14, 2020
-
Mysterious Underwater Ruins In Canada And America – Evidence Of An Unknown Ancient Civilization?
Civilizations | Sep 17, 2020
-
Mystery Of Great Wall Of California: An Ancient Unsolved Enigma
Civilizations | Sep 11, 2018
-
Lamanai, Belize: One Of The Largest And Oldest Maya Cities Dated To 1500 BC
Civilizations | Nov 2, 2018
-
Mada’in Saleh: Spectacular Rock-Cut Tombs And Monuments Reflect Great Skills Of Nabataean Builders
Featured Stories | Aug 18, 2020
-
Rare 7,000-Year-Old Clay Figurine Discovered In Battifratta Cave, Lazio
Archaeology | Jul 29, 2023
-
Mysterious Unknown Strange-Looking Ancient Seafarers – Survivors Of A Now Vanished Race?
Civilizations | Oct 11, 2022
-
Ancient Petroglyphs Of Cholpon-Ata And Mysterious Balbals Figures That Guard Grave Sites, Kyrgyzstan
Featured Stories | Aug 24, 2015
-
Exceptional Collection Of Well-Preserved Stucco Masks Of The Mayan Kingdom Reveal Their Secrets
Archaeology | Dec 5, 2022
-
Unexplained Phenomenon In Ancient Ireland – When Legends, Science And Real Events Collide
Featured Stories | Apr 19, 2018
-
On This Day In History: Anne Boleyn, The Second Wife Of Henry VIII – Beheaded For Adultery, Treason And Incest – On May 19, 1536
News | May 19, 2016
-
Rare Runic Inscriptions Engraved On Bone And Wood Discovered In Oslo, Norway
Archaeology | Feb 15, 2022
-
On This Day In History: Pueblo Indians Capture Santa Fe From The Spanish – On August 21, 1680
News | Aug 21, 2016
-
Part Of Secret Vatican Manuscript Decoded
Archaeology | Sep 7, 2017
-
Interaction Between Homo Sapiens And Neanderthals Studied Using New Radiocarbon 3.0 Method
Archaeology | Feb 15, 2023
-
Ancient Papyrus Of Merer Reveals How The Great Pyramid Of Giza Was Built
Archaeology | Sep 27, 2017
-
Veles And Perun: Most Powerful Slavic Gods In Conflict Between Powers Of Light And Darkness
Featured Stories | Jun 26, 2017
-
1700-Year-Old Iron Trident Found In The Ancient City Of Assos, Turkey
Archaeology | Nov 1, 2023
-
Ancient Mammoth Ivory Carving Technology Of Master Craftsmen – Reconstructed
Archaeology | Aug 27, 2020