Hi Martine,
this year's Fair was divided over two days, Saturday and Sunday. For the first time, there were also four lectures on Textile, Jewelry and Beads.
This years lunch was modest visited, but so entertaining that everybody forgot to take pictures.

Hereby a picture of a necklace (or cache sexe?) worn by the Hamar people in Ethiopia acquired by the Toguna Art and Crafts on the Fair, Length ± 48 cm. Leather, glass seed beads, iron and brass beads.

Thank you Hans! The most important thing is that you enjoyed yourselves that day. I hope the lecture you assisted went well. Anything to share about this one?
I know the Beadbrothers did not take part, were there any interesting newcomers?
I hope to be there next year!
Cheers.

Hi, Martine. I did'nt notice your thread, so here is a little bit late my reaction. I visited the fair (on Saturday) a few hours in the morning and then I joined the lunch at Nel's. Because I wanted not too much ballast this year (too much problems with my back) I left my camera at home. A pity that "Bead Brothers" was not there but this year there were other interesting participants. For instance: Karavanserai from Maastricht (what's in a name!) was a newcomer whith interesting objects. We had a lot to discuss during lunch and unfortunately I forgot to show two small objects I bought. So here are two pictures because I'm wondering if someone else can tell me more about. They looks like small fishes. The seller said they are from Ghana and about 50 years old. For me, I lived in Ghana and collected a lot of lost wax bronze beads, but never saw these objects.
They are about 6 x 1,5 cm.

Hope to see you next year!

Nel

Hi Nel,
these pendants were cast by the Kirdi People and I believe a part of a cache sexe.
Kirdi seems to be a pejorative for several different tribes living in Cameroon.

I read somewhere that these pieces represent the woven banana (or other?) leaf mats that women use for sanitary pads - thus they are fertility symbols for women.

The loops at one end of yours appear worn through. Nice older pieces!

they are Nigerian Yoruba or Nupe lost wax cast pendants intended for girls puberty/menstruation initiation rituals because the form represents a sanitary napkin woven from banana leaves!!!
yours both seem to have one of the end loops broken.
I will look for the image of mine.
-see following message.

see picture on p. 41 of my collectors book-
i will show a larger image when i get back to my workshop...in a day or two...

Hans, Rosanna and Stefany: Thank you so much for your help! I'm waiting for the larger image (and yes I'm sorry: one of the end loops is broken)

Thank you Nel, sorry to hear about your back problems. I heard that for the 'Beadbrothers' a 2 days' presence is not realistic since that means a 2 days' closure of the shop in Alkmaar. I hope Max founds a solution for next year. I cross my fingers.
I really love your Kirdi hangers, saw some in the past but had no idea of their sybolism. Thanks all for the info.
I really hope to see you next year.