Beaded Art of The Maasai People east African countries of Kenya and Tanzania

I find Maasai beadwork to be incredibly attractive, on a deep level. While I hang it on my walls, I don’t in any way consider it to be mere décor. I realize the significance to the Maasai, of their crafts. I pay homage to their beliefs and their skills by displaying their work in my home for all to see. I’m happy to share some of my favorite Maasai creations here. There are two main types of neckwear worn by women of the Maasai: necklaces and wedding collars. Unmarried women wear necklaces, oftentimes in multiples, which completely encircle their necks. These necklaces are large flat discs made of rows of beads threaded onto wire, secured and spaced with cowhide strips. (Unlike wedding collars, they do not feature a square protrusion on their front, from which strands of beads hang. Wedding collars are worn by a woman only on her wedding day.) I have read that the mother of a bride makes a wedding collar, known as an Inkarewa, which her daughter wears during her wedding. Large, flat, leather circles are covered in brightly colored beads strung in geometric shapes. The Inkarewa features beaded strands hung from its front, from a square portion which protrudes from the front of the disk. The beads hang down to the bride’s knees. The strands often have cowry shells attached to their ends. Cowry shells represent peace. The beaded strands themselves represent the dowry which will be given for the bride; that is to say, the number of cattle. According to Mark Cherrington, who writes for the website, https://offerup.com/redirect/?o=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jdWx0dXJhbHN1cnZpdmFsLm9yZw==, every portion of the bride’s wedding collar represents an aspect of a bride’s community. Please visit the site to glean more detailed information from Mr. Cherrington’s writing. I am a collector, not an expert. My aim is to give you an introduction to the Maasai’s beautiful work, and to encourage you to do more reading. Sold as a set

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