The Jewellery
The Maasai tribe (or Masai) is a unique and popular tribe. Despite education, the change in land areas and western cultural influences, the Maasai people have clung to their traditional way of life, making them a symbol of Kenyan/ Tanzania culture. The women commonly dress themselves with great circular plate-like beaded collars and headbands ranging from many bright colours and their arms and ankles are wound tightly with thick strands of copper coils. Both men and women often elongate their ear lobes by with heavy earrings and beaded ornaments. Ochre, a red mineral rock which is grounded to a fine powder, is frequently mixed with cow fat and artfully applied to the body (also acts as a natural sun block and is for beauty). All Beaded work, done by women, has a long history among the Maasai, who articulate their identity and position in society through body ornaments and body painting.
Image by: Michelle Lewis
Beads we originally produced mostly from local raw materials. Black and blue beads were made from iron, charcoal, seeds, clay, or horn. White beads were made from clay, shells, ivory, or bone. Red beads came from seeds, woods, gourds, bone, ivory, copper, or brass. Late in the nineteenth century, great quantities of brightly colored glass beads arrived in East Africa from the European countries; bead workers replaced the older beads with the new materials and began to use more elaborate color schemes. Currently, dense, opaque glass beads with no surface decoration and a naturally smooth finish are preferred. Although there are variations in the meaning of the color of the beads, some general meanings for a few colors are: white, peace; blue, water; red, warrior/blood/bravery.
Image by: Michelle Lewis
The clothes
The Maasai began replacing animal skin, with commercial cotton in the 1960’s shaping the change of dress sense worn today. The clothing varies by age, sex, and place. The young men, for instance, wear black for many months following their circumcision before changing to the Shúkà, which is the Maa word for the sheets traditionally worn wrapped around the body. Red is a favored color of choice. Blue, black, striped, and checkered cloth is also worn, as multicolored African designs. Masai near the coast may wear Kikoi, a type of sarong that comes in many different colours and textiles most commonly preferred in stripes together with wearing simple sandals, which were recently made from cowhide, are now soled with tire strips or plastic.
Image by: Michelle Lewis
Are you interested in seeing the Maasai tribes roaming and grazing their lands? Check out our hot tours on offer in Tanzania and Kenya. A true educational, en-lighting culture experience that will leave you wanting more of this amazing continent!
Written by: Michelle Lewis – Acacia Sales/Marketing