RAGASTENS PENCA DE BALANGANDAN pendant & necklace: The body of the pendant with the traditional two, facing birds, from this body hangs charms of fruit, gourds and vegetables with a wooden carved hand, stamped RANGSTANS, 3"l x 2.5"w and with a sterling silver necklace stamped .925, 18"l. The "Penca de Balangandan" is a decorative brooch or pendant clasp, that traditionally holds charms acquired by a slave either as gifts or obtained to ward off evil. The actual charm holder shape itself is representative of the boats that took slaves from Africa to Brazil. The 2 birds facing each other represent the two countries, Brazil and Africa.