elephant hair bracelet

[DnSchlng]

What is an elephant hair bracelet? Was worn by safari hunters and natives?

 

[rlandrews3rd]

They used to be worn by the Montagnards of Vietnam, and were given as gifts to some of the Special Forces folks that worked with them.

 

[Mike K.]

...and long before that the bracelets came from Africa.

An elephant hair bracelet is just what the name says. It is an adjustable bracelet made with the tail hair of an elephant. Styles vary somewhat. Bracelets can be made with different color hairs - black is most common, brown is more uncommon, and white is the least common. Better quality bracelets are usually made with either thicker hairs or a higher hair count. There is also variation in the knots used to hold the bracelet together and adjust its size. Some knots are fairly plain while others are more elaborate. Additionally, the number of knots varies - with 2 and 4 knots being most common (I've seen 'em with up to 8 knots). According to 1200-year-old legend, the wearer of an elephant hair bracelet would be protected from illness, taken out of harms way, and attain great fortune. The knots represent fertility & ancestors (earth) and forces & spirits (nature)...hence the 4 or 2 knot versions. In following with tradition, those white hunters who actually hunted and killed an elephant wear the bracelet on the right arm. Elephant hair bracelets presented to friends as tokens of good luck are worn on the left arm.

Here's a photo of the elephant hair bracelet that I wear.

 

[scotrace]

Are they still made?

 

[Mike K.]

A long time ago, I received a pair from a family friend working with the State Department, but these got lost.

I purchased my current bracelet from justelephant, an eBay store with a constant stock of products (not simply live auctions). Products are made in Africa and very nice quality. Shipping is quite fast. No problems with customs. I'm happy and would purchase again from the company!

 

[SGB]

I bought one in 1975 in Paris from an African street vendor, still have it.

SGB

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Had a problem

I received one as a gift back in the early 70's. It became very brittle and eventually fell apart after a few years. Is there anything special you should do to prevent that from happening?

 

[rumblefish]

Are they still made?

Galazan AKA Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. has them.

Type in Elephant in the search window at the bottom left.

https://secure.netsolhost.com/connecticutshotgun.com/data/comersus/store/comersus_listItems.asp

 

[cookie]

Are they still made?

You can buy them readily in Zimbabwe on your next trip!

 

[Mike K.]

Is there anything special you should do to prevent that from happening?

It's hair. You need to treat it like leather, wood, or anything else with natural oils in it. Without periodic conditioning it will dry out and start to fall apart.

 

[Prairie Shade]

My Two Bits

I have two which were acquired with great difficulty from several co-workers from Kenya. They are not approved to be removed from Kenya they tell me. There are a number of copies that are made from a reed which resembles elephant hair. The customs officials at the air port put a match to them and if they smell hair, your life just became more complicated. I thought originally they were "harvested" from elephant hair found tangled in brush and thorns. Now, I'm not so sure. But I agree with the analysis above as to their mythical powers. I just think their unusual and since I lost the one I had in Indo China, I wanted another. The Montanyard varieties were very simple with just two slip knots and only cost a couple of bucks. Of course Asian elephants are domesticated and could be given a hair cut, African elephants on the other hand????? Would be interested if anyone could enlighten me as to the laws in Africa for removing items made of wild animals with or without a license.

 

[Mike K.]

Galazan AKA Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. has them.
Type in Elephant in the search window at the bottom left.
https://secure.netsolhost.com/connecticutshotgun.com/data/comersus/store/comersus_listItems.asp

I tried this link and the ones listed aren't real elephant hair, even though they're constructed the same way as the authentic bracelets. There are a number of companies that sell wire bracelets made in the same style as real elephant hair ones. There are also a number of companies that use grass, horse hair, or other substitutes for elephant hair.

 

[Mike K.]

Would be interested if anyone could enlighten me as to the laws in Africa for removing items made of wild animals with or without a license.

I could do a more thorough search of ESA and CITES regulations, but some brief research turned up this information.

NO PERMIT TO PURCHASE ELEPHANT HAIR PRODUCTS WORLDWIDE

CITES was formed in 1973 and to date has 163 members. Membership is voluntary as is adhesion to the aims and ambitions. (cites.org)

Trading internationally is not the same as one person purchasing from another, a single item. CITES is about the exploitation of endangered species. Permits for single items, such as bracelets are not required according to the CITES directorate in Pretoria.

It is true that CITES is for the protection of endangered animals (and plants). It was designed to control and prevent the trade in the live or dead animals and live plant samples or the slaughter of animals for their hide or in this case the ivory tusks.

Many people in Southern Africa, especially Zimbabwe and KZN in South Africa produce products from animal by-product which is what most elephant hair is. It is just not profitable to poach animals to manufacture a small bracelet. All workshops that I am aware of in South Africa are permitted to manufacture and they can be found openly on sale in the gift and souvenier shops.

For those who wish to be sure that what they buy does not come from animals, there are a number of people who offer imitation bracelets made from dried River Reed.​

 

[rumblefish]

I tried this link and the ones listed aren't real elephant hair, even though they're constructed the same way as the authentic bracelets. There are a number of companies that sell wire bracelets made in the same style as real elephant hair ones. There are also a number of companies that use grass, horse hair, or other substitutes for elephant hair.

I just assumed that these were real hair covered with silver or gold. I guess that doesn't make much sense.

 

[DnSchlng]

thanks for posting your replies it helps a lot
in fact i think i am going to get one

 

[Bhauer]

Here’s mine I’ve worn for over 40 years. I have a few of these I bought in South Africa while on Safari in 1982-1983. I have a few of the traditional knot bracelets also which are more traditional. The one pictured was handmade at Haglund Jewlers in Johannesburg. They are no longer in business.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I have one of those 4-knot, expandable armband/bracelets that was given to me after a friend went to Africa in the 80s. I immediately thought it was cool in design. Have never worn it even once though, but I don't like stuff on my body. I never wear jewelry or watches. I kind of feel like its like owning ivory now. I did nothing wrong. I know it was bought directly from a village market and supported a local economy. It could have been obtained for poor reason and be unethical, but knowing this friend, I have just that .0001% question that it was. But that's enough for me to feel funny about it. I've thought many times about gifting it, because it already exists. I can't do anything about it. Someone should at least get some use/pleasure out of it. I wish I was 100% at ease with it all, but that's my problem.

 

[Bhauer]

I have one of those 4-knot, expandable armband/bracelets that was given to me after a friend went to Africa in the 80s. I immediately thought it was cool in design. Have never worn it even once though, but I don't like stuff on my body. I never wear jewelry or watches. I kind of feel like its like owning ivory now. I did nothing wrong. I know it was bought directly from a village market and supported a local economy. It could have been obtained for poor reason and be unethical, but knowing this friend, I have just that .0001% question that it was. But that's enough for me to feel funny about it. I've thought many times about gifting it, because it already exists. I can't do anything about it. Someone should at least get some use/pleasure out of it. I wish I was 100% at ease with it all, but that's my problem.

I would love to have it to give to my son for his birthday if you would wan to part with it.

 

[Bhauer]

Had a problem

I received one as a gift back in the early 70's. It became very brittle and eventually fell apart after a few years. Is there anything special you should do to prevent that from happening?

Don’t use soap or shampoo on it. It can get wet but no soap. Once in a while put a little olive oil on it. I’ve had some for 40 + years with no damage.