Porcupine Quill Jewelry

Generations of Africans have held porcupine quills as a favorite ornament. Like their Native American counterparts, Africans also view porcupine quills as good luck charms. Why not give this beautiful set a try? If no good luck comes your way, at least you’ll have the admiring glances of all who see you.

Artist: Esther was one of the first artists that we began working with. She is a gregarious Kikuyu woman whose business acumen has enabled her to grow her business from a one woman show to one where she is able to provide regular employment for her family, neighbors and community members.
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Country of Origin: Kenya

Color: Black & white

Material: The porcupine quills used are from the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) which can be found in abundance throughout East Africa. Quills cover the back, sides and tail of this nocturnal animal and can be anywhere from 1” to 12” in length. (see the photo) A single porcupine may have as many as 30,000 quills since the distribution of the quills can be as great as 150 per square inch. The crested porcupine uses it’s quills as a defence mechanism and will swat any attacker who comes within reach. Like hair, porcupine quills grow back when they come out. Also like hair, they shed their quills on a regular basis.

The people who collect the quills from Esther do not kill the animals solely for their quills. Rather, they collect those that have been shed naturally, those that may have come off during an attack or those that have been released in the excitement of breeding season. Porcupine meat has also been eaten by many indigenous peoples and is legally hunted. On occasion this is also a source.
Porcupine Quill Choker