August, 1975- Earmarks of wealth among the Fulanis, giant gold ornaments festoon a woman at Dialloube; a head strap often helps support the heavy earrings. As a family’s fortunes increase, more gold may be hammered onto the jewelry. Gleaming filigree- an art form along the Niger- harks back to an age when West African monarchs cornered the bulk of the continent’s known gold supply. One 11th century Ghanaian king reportedly possessed a nugget so large that he tethered his horse to it.
Bambara women dance at the conclusion of Ramadan, West Africa, August 1975
