Kahina

Berber’s, ‘Rebel’s at heart’. The Berbers are among the original peoples of North Africa. Their myths, legends and history span 9,000 years. They have achieved unity by maintaining their unique language and culture which are, like their land, both African and Mediterranean.

The myth of Kahina, the pre-Islamic female warrior, which is alive in Berber culture and is used by the youth as a symbol of Berber language and culture. Kahina is remembered for her acts of bravery and her clairvoyant ability to lead her people against the Arab invasions in the 7th century CE. She surmounted the masculine monopoly of military enterprise to become a legend and the only uncrowned ‘she king’ in Moroccan history.

This earring piece is inspired by a highly meticulous portrait of the best known work of Josep Tapiró’s from the Tangiers period. It shows a bride adorned with jewels in the traditional fashion and gives a detailed rendering of her magnificent ceremonial attire.

Through our Pierregemme work, we couldn’t help draw similarities of powerful women warriors in the Indian history - Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai, Chandbibi of Ahmadnagar, Begum Hazrat Mahal and so many more. Whether it’s the legacies of both Berber and historical warriors in Indian history attest to the fundamental role they play in transmitting language and culture through rituality, orality and art.