Conch Shells
Conch Shells
Conch shells are placed on graves for decorational purposes. They are primarily used in coastal regions, but can occasionally be found further in-land. Before being placed on the grave the shells are bleached completely white. This practice originated amongst the people of lower Zaire. It was their belief that deceased ancestors became white creatures that inhabited river bottoms and this connection to the color white and water imagery prompted people to use conch shells as grave decorations. These shells were readily available in the low country of South Carolina. Conch shells were commonly placed at the head and foot of a grave with other smaller shells, such as clam shells or oyster shells were used to decorate the border. Bessie Jones explained the significance of the shells in a different way, stating:
The shells stand for the sea. The sea brought us and the sea shall take us back. So the shells upon our graves stand for water, the means of glory and the land of demise.
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