Religion and fashion: Your jewellery could speak volumes
THE power of religious symbolism has endured through history. For many religious denominations, sacred symbols have often taken the form of personal jewellery. Religious jewellry has been used as an outward sign of one’s faith.
By Vision reporter
THE power of religious symbolism has endured through history. For many religious denominations, sacred symbols have often taken the form of personal jewellery. Religious jewellry has been used as an outward sign of one’s faith.
Maria Assumpta Nakitto, a vendor of religious jewellry at Christ the King Church says the symbols used often indicate the particular religion of the wearer.
“Some religions attach high value to symbolism and wearing these symbols is said to strengthen the faith of the wearer,†Nakitto said.
Nakitto noted that the Christian Crucifix and the Hebrew Star of David are the most common symbols on the market. The Christian crucifix is one of the most widely recognised religious symbols. It has its origins in the manner in which Jesus Christ was put to death.
“Since the death of Christ is widely associated with the resurrection, the cross is an outward reflection of a belief in an afterlife spent in heaven,†she says.
Although the Star of David is not common on the Uganda market, Nakitto says that it is a religious symbol valued in the Jewish community.
“Although I don’t have it here, I receive people especially the whites asking for it. Wearing the Star of David, like the christian cross, is a significant outward symbol for people of the Jewish faith,†she says.
According to Sebastian Mutyaba, a vendor of religious jewellry at St. Matia Mulumba Church in Old Kampala, a recent addition to Christian jewellry, are the rings that people put on to signify various tenets of faith such as purity and chastity.
Mutyaba says that the sacrament of baptism is a sacred and very important rite among Christians. Baptismal rings, pendants and pins are common gifts given in celebration of the sacrament.
Medals depicting images of Christian saints are also very popular. As it is with other types of jewellry, religious jewellry can be found in a wide variety of materials.
Gold is the most popular of the precious metal for jewellry, and religious jewellry is no exception. They are also produced from other metals such as sterling silver.
But most vendors in Uganda specialise in Christian jewellry, especially Catholic jewellry. This mostly includes crosses, prayer beads, rosaries, crucifixes, religious rings, wedding bands, tie tacs, baptismal pins, and earrings.
Like any other segment of the jewellry market, religious symbols can reflect great artistry and care.
Apart from jewellry shops around town, you can find religious jewellry at St. Paul’s Bookshop on Kampala road, Christ the King Church, St. Matia Mulumba Church in Old Kampala and all major churches. The price varies basing on the type, the material.
THE power of religious symbolism has endured through history. For many religious denominations, sacred symbols have often taken the form of personal jewellery. Religious jewellry has been used as an outward sign of one’s faith.
Maria Assumpta Nakitto, a vendor of religious jewellry at Christ the King Church says the symbols used often indicate the particular religion of the wearer.
“Some religions attach high value to symbolism and wearing these symbols is said to strengthen the faith of the wearer,†Nakitto said.
Nakitto noted that the Christian Crucifix and the Hebrew Star of David are the most common symbols on the market. The Christian crucifix is one of the most widely recognised religious symbols. It has its origins in the manner in which Jesus Christ was put to death.
“Since the death of Christ is widely associated with the resurrection, the cross is an outward reflection of a belief in an afterlife spent in heaven,†she says.
Although the Star of David is not common on the Uganda market, Nakitto says that it is a religious symbol valued in the Jewish community.
“Although I don’t have it here, I receive people especially the whites asking for it. Wearing the Star of David, like the christian cross, is a significant outward symbol for people of the Jewish faith,†she says.
According to Sebastian Mutyaba, a vendor of religious jewellry at St. Matia Mulumba Church in Old Kampala, a recent addition to Christian jewellry, are the rings that people put on to signify various tenets of faith such as purity and chastity.
Mutyaba says that the sacrament of baptism is a sacred and very important rite among Christians. Baptismal rings, pendants and pins are common gifts given in celebration of the sacrament.
Medals depicting images of Christian saints are also very popular. As it is with other types of jewellry, religious jewellry can be found in a wide variety of materials.
Gold is the most popular of the precious metal for jewellry, and religious jewellry is no exception. They are also produced from other metals such as sterling silver.
But most vendors in Uganda specialise in Christian jewellry, especially Catholic jewellry. This mostly includes crosses, prayer beads, rosaries, crucifixes, religious rings, wedding bands, tie tacs, baptismal pins, and earrings.
Like any other segment of the jewellry market, religious symbols can reflect great artistry and care.
Apart from jewellry shops around town, you can find religious jewellry at St. Paul’s Bookshop on Kampala road, Christ the King Church, St. Matia Mulumba Church in Old Kampala and all major churches. The price varies basing on the type, the material.