A West African term for a carnelian or reddish stone used in traditional medicine and ornamental practices; also a unit of weight in some West African trade.
From Portuguese 'cravo' (meaning carnation or nail), which entered West African trading vocabulary during the colonial era. The term became associated with specific trading units and precious stones in markets along the Gold Coast and beyond.
The word 'cravo' is a fascinating remnant of Portuguese colonial trade—it shows how a single European word spread across Africa and took on entirely new meanings related to weight and commerce, rather than the original flower!
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