Moussa Albaka

Niger

Silver and Gemstone Jewelry

Moussa Albaka is from Niger, Africa, and as a metal-smith he designs gorgeous jewelry using sterling silver, Tuareg silver and semi-precious stones. His techniques include engraving intricate geometric designs, using decorative inlay, and a lost wax process. Many of his pieces show the repoussé style by which Albaka hammers a shape on the reverse side which creates a raised design on the front. The repoussé style is a slow process taking hundreds of hours, but it maximizes the touch, feel, and visual beauty of the bracelet or necklace and amulet. Albaka also fashions veil weights jewelry which follows the Tuareg tradition of using an elaborate, inventive design. This jewelry is worn by women to hold their head cloths in place.

Moussa Albaka is from Agadez which is just south of the great Saharan desert. Niger is landlocked and the drought cycles are evident. Moussa was born in a nomad tent and as a young man traveled with camel caravans. The Tuareg are semi-nomadic but their artwork remains intact and is highly distinctive. This folk art is mostly passed down through the male side of the family to families of the “enad” or blacksmith caste. Moussa was taught by his father and uncles and in turn he teaches his sons and nephews who work for him. Moussa Albaka is an acclaimed artist and is highly regarded by his peers.