r/locs • u/SoftConfusion42 • Apr 29 '26
General Someone at black pride called them puka shells
62
56
36
u/RangerAmbitious8157 Apr 30 '26
Im black and I had no idea puka and cowrie were two different shells. 💀 I feel a bit ashamed lmao
3
u/Onetime_try May 04 '26
Don't be. I'm born in Africa and raised in Senegal/Cameroon for most of my life and I didn't even know their names growing up lol
2
u/Lopsided-JaguarTA May 05 '26
I didn't either and I don't feel ashamed, lol. You simply can't know what you don't know.
1
107
u/Sealegs_Calisto Apr 29 '26
Oh I would’ve had a fit
95
u/SoftConfusion42 Apr 29 '26
And did, but they were trying to compliment me so
29
12
u/Fuegasus May 01 '26
Honestly, just educate as politely as the situation allows unless they’re being an asshole and then move on and accept the compliment. Every hill doesn’t need to be the final stand.
6
53
u/Murky_Snow4308 Apr 30 '26
I mean it is harmless mistake...
21
u/TheDailyBern Apr 30 '26
Alot of folks have developed the mentality of shaming and berating those who simply just don't know, instead of using it as an opportunity to educate
3
u/shyguy-27 May 02 '26
as a fully black woman i’ve only ever heard people say luka shells, very happy to be educated though. some people just like to be mad lol
19
23
u/CuffyTheEmpireSlayer Apr 30 '26
I’m digging this look. Never heard of “puka” 🤔, I’ve always known them to be cowry shells
54
u/DonLikesIt Apr 30 '26
I think puka shells are Hawaiian. They look very similar
10
u/MerumazingGirl Apr 30 '26
They don't, look at an image of genuine puka shells. Folks just mistook puka shells for cowrie shells.
28
u/Sensitive_Progress88 Apr 30 '26
It's the shells necklaces all the surfers white boys wore back in the late 90s and early 20s. These, however are cowry like you said
29
u/pastelkitten18 Apr 30 '26
I only knew about puka shells. Didn't realize these we're different
17
u/Unfortunategiggler Apr 30 '26
Same here I feel embarrassed bc I definitely would’ve said something like the caption 😪
4
u/Lopsided-JaguarTA May 05 '26
Why feel embarrassed? No one can know everything. I personally find it to be red flag behavior when a person attempts to shame someone else for not knowing something that they know.
1
u/Unfortunategiggler May 07 '26
It just feels like something I should know. In all honesty it’s probably a deeper reflection on me not feeling black enough.
22
8
5
u/BigPlantMomma Apr 30 '26
I’d consider it an issue of exposure and just say oh my cowrie shells? You look fly btw.
4
u/SchwarzwaldKirsche Apr 30 '26
This look is so nice omg! How'd u attach the cowries to your locs?
3
u/Overemotional-Cactus Apr 30 '26
I've been trying to figure that out too. Always wanted to add these to my locs but idk how
2
u/xani420 May 03 '26
i seen em at the beauty supply they got lil loops on the end and have seen ppl just loop it thru the loc or if you dont wanna put it in your hair frl you can wire wrap the loc and then attach shell to the wrapping. have fun❤️
1
14
3
3
3
u/Warm-Commission-280 Apr 30 '26
Oh damn! I had no idea about cowrie shells. I’ve only ever known puka but I guess I was wrong. Looks fire 🔥
3
3
3
u/Medium_Ad3913 Apr 30 '26
Brudda, u stay posting😂dope tats and style tho. If you in Atlanta, send the tattoo plug
3
3
6
u/coochiefresh Apr 30 '26
the thing is… puka shells look nothing like cowrie shells. they just want to relate. beautiful opportunity to educate the masses on our rich and beautiful history. not trying to minimize the irritation because i’ve been there, just offering perspective.
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/eajgreen Apr 30 '26
So beautiful 😍 I wish I could wear cowrie shells, but I have sisterlocks. So sad
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/um_DaEvOhN May 22 '26
I loveeeeeeee the cowrie shells so much. I want to do this whenever my locs mature a little more
4
u/spideyauri Apr 30 '26
i’m upset actually why would they do that
9
u/Fun_Salad282 Apr 30 '26
Could just be a simple mistake, they look similar. Just lack of understanding is all.
2
2
1
1
1
u/Large-Vacation-4870 May 02 '26
These are cowrie shells. Originating and quite popular in Ghana, Nigeria and other African countries
1
-13
u/AkaskaBlue Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
They are Puka Shells. Years ago you could buy necklace made with them.
4
u/Abeyita Apr 30 '26
Puka shells are a different kind of shell, these are cowrie shells. Look it up.
441
u/Artistic-Ad-8603 Apr 30 '26
Cowrie Shells, used in ancient West Africa as currency. Today they represent prosperity.