Masai Jewelry
Masai Jewelry is a common kind of body accessories that are made out of local materials that exist in the Masai land by the amazing Masai people. The Maasai people have a unique culture and are known for their colorful way of dressing and the warrior way of life. They also have jewelry which to the Masai is more than just fashion and it has a lot of symbolism and meaning to their culture.
The art of jewelry making using beads is the duty of the Masai women in their society as well as taking care of the homesteads while the Masai men and young boys are in charge of protecting their families as well as looking after the livestock such as cows, goats and sheep.
The Masai Jewelry includes necklaces, pendants, anklets, belts, sandals, household items and bracelets made in different colors and patterns. The jewelry is worn on the neck, wrists, chests and on the waist. The beads worn by the women, children, and men are of varying significance to the Maasai people.
Some of the colors of jewelry which are significant to the Maasai people and have different meanings which are usually associated with cattle since it is a major source of food and the Maasai greatly depend on their livestock and the colors include the following;
- Red symbolizes bravery, unity, and blood and also represents the color of blood. The aspect of unity comes in situations when a cow is slaughtered and the Maasai meet which creates unity among them.
- White is a symbol of peace, purity, and health. The Maasai people drink milk which is white in color and this reflects the meaning of health associated with white beads.
- Blue represents energy and the sky in a way that when rain falls from the blue sky, the cattle which are kept in large numbers by the Maasai get water which is one of the major factors that influence the lifestyle of the Maasai.
- Orange color symbolizes hospitality in a way that the milk which is served to visitors of the Maasai is served from orange gourds. The hospitable nature of the Maasai has also greatly influenced the tourism sector since the Maasai are a major tourist attraction during safaris.
- Yellow also symbolizes hospitality since it is close to the orange color as well as a representation of the animal skins which are found on the visitors’ beds.
- Green symbolizes health and land in a way that the Masai cattle graze on green pastures of the land.
- Black represents the people and the struggles they must endure.
The Maasai jewelry is made for families, friends as well as for sale to the tourists and other visitors. As visits interact with tourists during their visits to the Masai villages in different locations, they experience the Maasai culture and see the different arts and crafts made by the Masai.
The Masai jewelry worn by the married women is different from that worn by the unmarried girls. Earrings are worn by the married Maasai women in the same way people in modern communities put on rings to symbolize marriage.
Some of the Masai women is worn on special occasions such as on a wedding day, during engagement and the initiation or coming of age among the men. Children are also given beads after birth around their wrists, necks, and ankles.
Materials used by the Masai women to make jewelry include dried grass, sticks, clay, seeds and shells. Through trade, the Masai people also adopted the use of glass and plastic.
Masai people
The Masai are a nomadic group of people who depend on their livestock for survival. The livestock kept by the Maasai includes cattle, goats and sheep. The number of cattle owned by a Maasai man determine the level of his wealth.
Masai belong to the Nilotic ethnic group and they speak the Maa language which is related to the Dinka, Kalenjin and Nuer languages.
The Masai are also known for their traditional dances which involve jumping and chanting their traditional songs.
The warrior nature of the Maasai is also another major trait which they are known for and the young men in their culture have to display bravery and ability to protect their families by going through certain stages such as initiation and circumcision.
Where the Maasai people can be seen
The Masai can be seen in both Kenya and Tanzania especially in the conservancies, national reserves and national parks. This is due to their need for vast land to keep up with their nomadic way of life and the plenty of pasture available in the parks and reserves.
Masai can be seen by tourists and visitors during safaris in different locations such as Serengeti national park, Maasai mara national park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Amboseli national park, and Tarangire national park.
Different craft shops at the Maasai villages also sell the Maasai art and craftwork as a way of earning income to improve their standards of living and to complement their nomadic way of life.
Traditions and culture of the Maasai
In the Masai society, decisions are made by the elders as well as the married men and roles are assigned according to age, sex among other factors. The married people are treated with more respect in society compared to the unmarried people.
The Masai feed on main products from their livestock such as milk, meat, and blood which is their primary source of food. They also feed on other foodstuffs traded with the nearby communities such as sorghum, rice, potatoes, cabbages which the Maasai sometimes grow for themselves.
The Masai also believe that all the cattle belong to them since it was given to them by their god “ejai” and for this reason, the Masai sometimes raid their neighboring communities and steal the cattle and other livestock which they believe is rightfully theirs.
Other traditional arts and crafts
The Masai also live in unique homesteads known as Manyattas which are made with local materials such as dung, cow urine, sticks, grass and mud with thatched roofs and they are surrounded by thorny enclosures to protect the Masai people and to protect the livestock from escaping and other dangers such as wildlife.
The Maasai also have traditional wear such as “sukas” which are worn by the men. This attire is also made up of different colors and checkered patterns such as red, blue and black.
Discover the beauty of the colorful, beaded handmade jewelry and experience the amazing culture of the Masai people.
