Handmade Choker Necklace Beaded Work | African craft

The choker dates back thousands of years and was first worn by the world’s earliest civilizations: the Sumer empire in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, according to the National Jeweler. Women wore chokers to both hide and highlight the neck, the most vulnerable part of the human body. Women believed these necklaces, especially gold ones, were protective and infused with special powers.

Many sources claim that chokers were first seen in 1798 during the French Revolution. Female French expatriates wore red ribbons around their necks as a way of paying tribute to those who had lost their lives to the guillotine.

During the later 1800s, chokers became a royal trend of elaborate style.

During the late 60s and 70s, rock stars integrated chokers into their fashion—and it wasn’t only women who wore them.

With the rise of the grunge scene in the 90s came edgy chokers worn by stars like Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Lenny Kravitz. The choker became even more popular than it was in 70s, becoming a symbol of a rising rebellion in youth culture. The edgy style not only communicated freedom and self-expression; it was also reflected, consciously or unconsciously, the long road women had traveled from violence and oppression to freedom in self-expression and body.

Chokers continue to make a bold statement, as we’ve seen in their recent revival. For Beyoncé’s “Formation” video, she stacked on multiple chokers while singing an anthem of her cultural identity as a black woman in America. It was perhaps the most powerful use of the choker to convey female power.

Source: "Ishler,Julianne; Oct13,2016; Medium.com"

Color: Blue, White and Black

Note:  Since All African crafts are handmade and crafted by our Artists; for some orders the final products might not be exactly the same as the photos. (Usually artists will update their designs and comes up with new ideas in terms of improving their final work). In this case before dispatch and shipping the order our team will Email the photo of the available and final products to you for your appreciation and approval.