It might come as a surprise that cowrie shells, also spelt cowry, were not created by Africans or the English.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/the-origin-story-of-cowrie-shells-their-significance-and-symbolism/whty4xx

More than 200 revolving actors have slept in a holiday resort near the set and been bussed over every morning to be adorned in raffia skirts, cowry shells and leather tunics in an African village built with wire mesh.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/21/romance-strife-and-broadcasting-rights-african-telenovela-goes-global

Our correspondent made a payment of N500 via a PoS machine at the terminal for the purchase of a cowry card, which was also loaded with N500 travel fare.

Source: https://punchng.com/lagos-blue-line-unveils-modernity-eases-traffic-nightmare-of-traumatised-commuters/