Researcher: Anklets Indicate Woman's Social Status

Since the dawn of civilization the anklet, along with wrist and forearm bracelets were an indication of social status in Egypt, and from there it moved to Mesopotamia, Persia, and India.

Shaza Yehia, a researcher in the history of arts and heritage said that the anklet originated in Egypt, like most jewelry in the world, and since predynastic times, it was worn by both men and women in Egypt.

According to social status, anklets are made from different metals and materials, Yehia added, pointing out that gold and silver were used for the upper classes, and beads, bone, wood, leather and shells for others.

This piece of jewelry remained a piece of women's basic adornment in rural and Upper Egypt until the present day.

Recently, silver anklets are more often preferred than other metals, and its use was restricted to women only, however, due to its heavy weight, which could reach up to 250 grams, some women resorted to wearing silver-plated copper ones.

Sometimes jingles and bells were added to the anklet to make a sound, and sometimes it was decorated with popular inscriptions and names, while often preserving its distinctive shape.

The bells could also indicate that the woman is a belly dancer and other related professions.

It was sometimes used as an indication of the status of a married or single woman. If it was worn on the left leg, it indicates the woman is single, and on the left leg would be married.

The researcher said that anklets had a mythical significance in popular heritage. A woman who had children who died at an early age was asked to provide enough coins in front of the mosque for the jeweler to melt them down and make an anklet for the little one’s leg to make them live longer.