India is the world’s largest consumer of gold, and its role in cultural life is unparalleled. More than a financial asset, gold in India is a sacred part of religious rituals, festivals like Diwali, and life events such as weddings.
Women often wear gold as a symbol of status, family honour, and protection. Bridal jewellery is especially significant, often passed down through generations and worn during traditional Hindu ceremonies.
Gold is also prominent in religious ceremonies and temple architecture, where deities are adorned in gold and offerings include gold coins or leaf. In Ayurvedic medicine, gold is believed to have healing properties and is used in various herbal formulations. With cultural reverence so strong, gold remains a deeply embedded part of Indian identity, both spiritually and economically.
Middle East: Gold as a Statement of Prestige
In many Middle Eastern cultures, gold is associated with wealth, generosity, and social prestige. It’s worn during major life events like weddings, where dowries and gifts are exchanged in the form of elaborate gold jewellery.
Items like heavy necklaces, bangles, and intricate headpieces are handed down through families and valued for their heritage. Jewellery design in the region is often elaborate and region-specific, reflecting centuries of craftsmanship.
Gold also plays a key role in Islamic finance, being a permissible (halal) investment that offers security and value. In cities like Dubai, gold is central to tourism, trade, and identity, symbolised by its famous gold souks and international gold markets.
Africa: Spirituality and Royalty
Across various African cultures, gold symbolises divine power, spiritual authority, and economic wealth. In Ghana, the Ashanti people have a long history of using gold to adorn royalty and mark sacred rituals. The iconic Golden Stool of the Ashanti kingdom is believed to house the soul of the nation.
Historically, gold dust served as currency in West African trade routes, and elaborate gold regalia remains a part of royal ceremonies today. Gold was, and still is used in funerals, to honour ancestors and guide spirits to the afterlife.
In modern times, many African nations continue to rely on gold mining as an economic driver. However, initiatives to combine mining with sustainable development and cultural preservation are increasingly important across the continent.
