Throwing a little Light on the Evolution of Money in my region
Amidst the chaos in the world today, there's one thing most people want to hear of and everybody wants to have it in abundance and generally agreed on it, and that is Money. Before we proceed, remember I'm your friend @jewelking.
Over the years, the use of money has evolved in many different ways and in different forms and honestly, it keeps evolving even as you read this. Come to think of it, before paper notes, some things were used by humans as legal tender. Can you guess?
Today I want to throw a little celebration in this group using this golden song “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA
I'm sure billions of people have listened to this song and I don't want to believe that you've not heard about this song nor listen to it before. Here's your opportunity to play this song and listen to it again and hear what it has to say in connection to money.
Most people know of their regions historical means of buying and selling very well but I'm just going to tell you mine. Cowrie Shells, Manillas, Metals & Bullion, Salt Blocks (Amolé), Textiles & Cloth, Livestock & Agricultural Goods and Iron Objects. These are but just a few of the things that once served as legal tender to my people and our neighbours in the olden days.
Historically, Africa happened to be one of those continents where money can be traced to different forms. In my region, I grew up hearing about cowries and how it was used as money to buy goods. Back then there was no internet, so I didn't have the means of knowing what cowries look like until one day, someone digged one up from the ground.
I couldn't believe my eyes, seeing what cowries looked like for the first time. Firstly I was amazed, secondly I was over joyed because I love and cherish things with great histories. Thirdly, I observed the white object well and wondered where the digits are made visible and how it was used for exchanges.
Sometimes before my first sight of a cowry, I've heard of trade by bater. That is also said to be one of the ways through which transactions occurred in the past but each one of these history means of buying and selling had different challenges attached to them.
Surprisingly, the current form of money we use today also has it's own challenges. Although it's much lesser compared to that of the olden days.
My wish and earnest desire for us is to make more money, acquire wealth and be wealthy so that no matter the form money appears to be in the future. We'll smoothly transition to it and still stay wealthy and most importantly healthy.
Thank you for stopping by to read my post.