Currency is often simplified in our modern world; we take its beauty and symbolism for granted and think only of its face value. However, in ancient Nigeria, natives valued their currency as a representation of several key elements of their culture: in early times the cowrie represented fertility, divinity, durability, and spirituality. The cowrie has since evolved into a symbol of Nigeria's progress from a primitive state to a modernized nation: it has helped Nigeria maintain its cultural identity and history, while also helping the nation develop. The cowry, not just a simplistic barter currency for ancient Nigeria, represents a sophisticated and evolving currency that has manifested itself in the culture and daily lives of Nigerians and influenced the history of their nation. The cowry was an important part of ancient civilization tribal art which includes clothing, tools and sacred pieces of tribal heirloom: the cowry was important to the daily lives of Nigerians for its value and symbolic message. In ancient Nigeria, clothing was a representation of their way of life; it showed the wearer's current status, the season, and what the time meant to their society. They used the cowrie to decorate their clothes for traditional festivals and special clothing, as they considered the cowrie sacred. During the ____ ceremony of the Yoruba, the cowrie was embedded on clothing to help influence the gods for a healthy growing season (Falola 2000). This symbolism brought into art. Art for ancient Nigerians was a window into their culture; from the first drawings on rocks to the artwork displayed in their villages, they represented key elements important to Nigerian culture. Archaeologists found early… middle of paper… ancient uses and modernized practices. Works Cited Asante, Molefi K. and Ama Mazama. Encyclopedia of African Religion. vol. 1. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2009. Page No. 2 vols. Network. February 3, 2010. Falola, Toyin and Akanmu G. Adebayo. Culture, politics and money among the Yoruba. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2000. Web. 11 February 2010. Johnson, Marion. Journal of African History. vol. 1. Np: Cambridge University Press, 1970. 17-49. 11 vols. University of Cambridge. Network. 11 February 2010. Ofonagoro, Walter. The journal of economic history. vol. 3. Np: Economic History Association, 1979. 39 vols. Network. February 2, 2010.Saul, Mahir. "Money in the colonial transition: cowries and francs". American anthropologist. : American Anthropligical Association, 2004. N. pag. Network. February 10. 2010. .