Beads are the most common traditional monies. They exist in an infinite variety of materials, shapes and colors. Pigeon's egg beads from Holland, like the ones shown here, were very popular among the Dogon people of Mali. Accordingly, these beads are also known as Dogon beads or Dutch beads. The Dogon used pigeon's egg beads for especially valuable transactions, for instance to pay the bride price, or for religious ceremonies.