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Barbara Porter-Spaulding
I spent New Years this year (1999) down in Sioux Falls (South Dakota) with my Tuareg friend Mariama. It was her uncle Saidi who got me the lock that takes three keys to open that was selected for the exhibit. It was purchased in Tchin Tabaradan, north of Tahou in Niger. She claims the blacksmith who made it was a fellow named Zegel, and that any self-respecting Tuareg had to have something made by this guy. That was back in the early 80s. Since the numerous Tuareg "revolts" it is hard to say if this person is still around. The knives came from Agadez, and were purchased from the blacksmith (jewelry maker) Moloule, who at the time also had a workshop at the Musée National in Niamey. I sat with him for a week drinking tea and watching him work. He said he had made these to enter into an Arts Festival, but would sell them to me for my patience. Who knows how much of that is true, but they were good looking knives and sheaths.
I lived in Niger for three years working in the Peace Corps. I worked with Tuareg nomadic herders, so I got to know a few families that included crafts specialists and commissioned some work. Owa, Saidi's wife, fashioned leather goods and made me numerous camel bags and halters. The lock goes on a camel bag so the personal effects inside are more difficult to steal. But since the bag could easily be taken, I'd say the locks are great to look at and fun to figure out. When I was living in the desert, most all the artifacts looked beautiful. Once I brought my "treasures" home, I wondered why I had collected some of them! I learned that the beauty and meaning of many objects often is closely associated with their original surroundings. I enjoyed the search for things that help me remember my time in Africa—I guess they are souvenirs. As such, these objects are priceless to me.
Collector / Donor Statements
Virginia Artis . Nancy and George Axinn . Marsha MacDowell and Kurt Dewhurst . James Ellison . Robert Glew . Suzanne Miers . Simon Ottenberg . Barbara Porter-Spaulding . Raymond Silverman . Neal Sobania . Robert Zigler
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