A smooth, glossy marine shell from certain sea snails that was historically used as currency and for decoration.
From Hindi 'kauri' or Tamil 'kavaṛi', reflecting trade routes and borrowing from Indian languages. The word entered English in the 16th century through Portuguese traders. Cowry shells became so valuable in African and Asian trade that they functioned as actual money for centuries.
Cowry shells were literally worth their weight in gold in pre-colonial Africa—entire trade networks and empires were built on cowry shell currency, making these little shells one of the most powerful economic objects in human history.
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