On View
Changing Exhibition Gallery
Exhibition
In Slavery's Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World
Created by
Unidentified
Date
19th century
Medium
tin plated copper, raffia palm nut, boar's tooth, wood
Dimensions
H x W x D: 13 × 10 × 2 1/2 in. (33 × 25.4 × 6.4 cm)
Caption
Penca de Balangandã are a type of charm jewelry traditionally made in the northeastern state of Bahia, Brazil. They date back to the 17th century but were most actively in use during the 18th and 19th century. These pencas were first associated with “for profit slaves”, enslaved people who worked for wages in urban Brazilian cities. While these people were forced to pay most of their earnings to slave owners, they were able to retain the remainder of their wages. Enslaved and freed Afro-Brazilians used their wages to purchase jewelry like this from local artisans as a means of cultural expression, spiritual protection, and wealth storage. These objects were extremely valuable, often written into wills as key asset to be adjudicated. The fastener and the charms were crafted out of gold or silver and were worn around the waist or on the wrist.
These charms are also associated with celebrations of Black brother/sisterhoods and can be worn in religious celebration. Syncretic ornaments, Penca de Balangandã merge values and aesthetics of baroque Catholicism and traditional African practices. Many of the charms carry dual meanings of Catholic symbolism and Afro-Brazillian orixas. The charms were curated by their individual owner to have specific aspects of spiritual protection. They were often called “penca” meaning bouquet, as the charms are closely grouped together, and “Balangandã”, an onomatopoetic word for the sound of the charms clinking together. While these ornaments were traditionally made of metal, they also included pieces of bone, coral, wood and stone to add to ornamentation.
The pendant charms on this penca may have multiple meanings. The two birds engraved into the clasp may represent Africa and the Americas, with the shape of the clasp symbolizing the slave ship that transported enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. Within the candomblé faith, grapes represent the orisha Oxum and are also symbols of female fertility, passion, and life. Fish is also a symbol of fertility and a representation of the orisha Lemanjá. The pineapple and mandarin generally represent fertility of the land while the cashew apple represents the orisha Xango and is a symbol of vitality. The tusk is an object of superstition, and the dark wood of the figa (wooden hand) possibly indicates a stronger protection against the evil eye. The figa itself represents sexuality and fertility to attract positive energy and reproduction. The cylinder is used to store herbs and other pieces of wood. These bundles were meant to protect against back luck. It might have been used to hold incense.
Description
A piece of charm jewelry, penca de balangandã, comprised of a metal main body, the nave, and nine charm pendants and typically worn around the waist with a strip of cloth or chain.
The nave is a triangular shaped body divided into two parts horizontally and held together by a hinge and butterfly screw. The top part of the nave is symmetrical with an elaborate, decorative, botanical motif on the solid design with large empty spaces. A chain would have been weaved through these empty spaces or the upper most part. The topmost part is flanked by birds with closed wings. The lower part of the nave is semicircular and denticulated where the pendants are located. The face of the denticulated curve has a smooth texture.
The nine charms are: a boar tusk with three bands at each end and the middle; a wooden fist stained darker and with copper fingernails; a raffia palm nut surrounded by four metal leaves; a bunch of grapes with leaves; a plant, possible corn, with spiky leaves at the top and flared out ends; a cylinder formed from two stacked spheres, resembling a pomegranate, and with a floral motif; a cashew apple; a fish with copper eyes; and an orange/mandarin with leaves.
Place made
Brazil, Latin America, South America
Cultural Place
Bahia, Brazil, Latin America, South America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Sacred and Ceremonial Objects
Accessories and Personal Effects
Type
amulets
talismans
charms
Topic
African diaspora
Clothing and dress
Costume
Fashion
Identity
Portuguese colonialism
Religion
Resistance
Slavery
Spirituality
Trans Atlantic slave trade
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift in honor of Marion Kumala Lockard
Object number
2024.27
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b8005269-e295-465b-99c3-645ad5fccab2

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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