Patrick Mavros Silver Ndoro Key Chain

Ndoro key chain in solid sterling silver. 4 3/4" length from top of key ring to bottom of larger ndoro. Designed by Patrick Mavros and manufactured in Zimbabwe.

"According to a colorful legend, the ndoro, a snail-shaped mollusk found throughout Zimbabwe, played a dramatic role in the early history of the country.

At some time in the fifteenth century, it helped in a battle. The story goes that a descendant of Mutota, the apparent founder of the Munhumutapa dynasty, was trying to subjugate a rival king named Karuva. Discovering, through a spy, that Karuva held the ndoro in great awe and respect, he ordered his warriors to wear ndoro upon their foreheads as they marched into battle against Karuva's forces. On seeing the ndoro-ornamented soldiers approach, Karuva became confused, and the tide of the battle turned against him.

Since then, the ndoro has been a shape that has connoted wealth throughout many countries in Africa."