Early Brass Manilla "SLAVE TRADE" BRACELET

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Early copper Manilla "SLAVE" TRADE BRACELET, Approx 3 18" across...... On the west coast of Africa, from the Congo, north to Senegal, bronze or copper bracelets (properly called Manillas) were worn both for personal adornment and for use as money. Their use dates back to at least the late 16th century. This specimen dates from 1750 - 1850. They became known as "slave trade money" after the Europeans started using them to acquire slaves for the slave trade into the Americas (as and England. The smaller types of the "Popo Manilla" were actually manufactured at Birmingham in England, specifically for the slave trade, and were too small to be worn.