Beaded Necklaces Collection

A Pokot warrior wearing a cheetah skin jumps high in the air surrounded by young women to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

A Samburu warrior resplendent with long, braided, Ochred hair. The round ear ornaments of the warriors are fashioned from ivory

Two young Datoga boys. The youngest wears metal bells around his ankles to ensure that he does not wander far from home without his mother or another member of the family hearing him

A young Datoga boy attired in beads. The metal bells worn around his ankles ensure that he does not wander far from home without his mother or another member of the family hearing him

A Msai warrior with his long braids and body coated with red ochre mixed with animal fat. He has put ochre dust round his eyes to enhance his appearance ready for a dance

The contrasting leather aprons or skirts of two Nyag atom girls. The skirt on the left is richly decorated with metal and copper beads; the one on the right is embellished with thousands of small

A Mursi woman wearing a large clay lip plate. Shortly before marriage, a girls lower lip will be pierced and progressively stretched over a year or so

A Wa-Arusha warrior carries home a yoke. His brown necklace is made from aromatic wood. The Wa-Arusha are closely related to the Msai and speak the same _maa language

A Turkana woman, typically wearing many layers of bead necklaces and a series of hooped earrings with an pair of leaf-shaped earrrings at the front, sits in the entrance to her hut

A back view of a Msai warrior resplendent with long ochred braids tied in a pigtail. This singular hairstyle sets him apart from other members of his society

An old Turkana woman wearing all the finery of her tribe. In a hole pierced below her lower lip, she wears an ornament beautifully made from twisted strands of copper wire

Kenya, South Horr, Kurungu. A Samburu youth after his circumcision. The day after he has been circumcised, the initiate must hang in his pierced earlobes copper ear ornaments that are normally worn

Dressed in his black goatskin cloak, a Samburu boy puts his bundle of sticks, staves and gum on the roof of his mothers house

Laikipiak Msai

Detail of a Msai warriors ear ornaments and other beaded or metal adornments. The Msai practice of piercing ears in adolescence and gradually elongating the lobes is gradually dying out

A Dassanech man with a shock of hair.; The Omo Delta of southwest Ethiopia is one of the least accessible and least developed parts of East Africa

Towards the conclusion of a Ngetunogh ceremony, an initiate must put on his mothers jewellery for a day before removing the wild sisal face mask he has worn for 2-3 months

During a Ngetunogh ceremony, the mother of a Pokot initiate sings and dances holding high the cowhorn container she used to smear fat over the masks of her son and other boys as a blessing

At the start of a Ngetunogh ceremony, the mothers of Pokot initiates will smear animal fat on the boys masks as a blessing

During a Ngetunogh ceremony, the mothers of Pokot initiates sing and dance holding high the cowhorn containers they used to smear fat over the masks of their sons as a blessing

A Pokot woman wearing the traditional beaded ornaments of her tribe which denote her married status. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Pokot men, women and girls dancing to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Pokot women and girls dancing to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

A Pokot woman in traditional attire dances to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. Her broad belt is made with the metacarpus and metatarsal bones of dikdiks interspersed with beads

A Pokot warrior wearing a leopard skin jumps high in the air surrounded by women to celebrate an Atelo ceremony. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

A Msai woman in traditional attire. The preponderance of white glass beads in her ornaments denotes that she is from the Kisongo section of the Msai, the largest clan group

Msai youth with decorated face
Black clothing and the intricate white patterns on the face of this Msai youth of the Kisongo section signify his recent circumcision

A Himba street vendor at Opuwo who sells Himba Jewellery, arts and crafts to passing tourists. The Himba are Herero-speaking Bantu nomads who live in the harsh

A proud Samburu mother of two recently circumcised boys wears briefly their bird skin headdresses round her neck after they discard them during the lmuget loolbaa ceremony (the ceremony of the arrows)

A young Samburu boy sucks marrow straight from the leg bone of a cow. Marrow is a much sought-after delicacy. During every Samburu ceremony

Samburu initiates sing during the month after their circumcision. As their wounds heal, their dances become more energetic

A Samburu initiate with bird skins hanging from his headband. While their wounds heal for a month after circumcision, initiates spend their time wandering in the countryside attempting to kill as

A Samburu initiate takes aim at a bird with a blunt arrow. While their wounds heal for a month after circumcision, initiates spend their time wandering in the countryside attempting to kill as many

A Samburu mother shaves her sons head outside her home the day before he is circumcised. Round her neck hangs his nchipi - the distinctive decoration of every boy who participates in the circumcision

Mothers rub animal fat into their sons cloaks to make them supple. This task is performed shortly before the boys set out on an arduous journey to collect sticks, staves and gum to make bows

A Samburu youth is forcibly restrained after throwing a fit in the tension-filled days leading up to his circumcision. It is not uncommon for Samburu youths and warriors to succumb to hysterical

Up to a year before his circumcision, a Samburu boy will style his hair in a distinctive pudding bowl shape and often rub charcoal and fat into it

A Turkana woman sitting in the doorway of her hut. Her heavy mporro braided necklace identifies her as a married woman. Typical of her tribe

Gabbra women sing and dance to celebrate a wedding. The traditional metal ornamentation on their heads is called malmal

Two Samburu warriors resplendent with long Ochred braids and beaded ornaments relax in typical pose beside a river bank

Msai warriors draw water from a deep well. The depth of wells is measured by the number of men required to bring water to the cattle troughs at the top of them

A Msai warrior blows a trumpet fashioned from the horn of a Greater Kudu. The strap is decorated with cowrie shells. Kudu-horn trumpets are only sounded to call men to arms or on ceremonial occasions

A Samburu boy in reflective mood after his circumcision. A day after the ordeal, he will hang in his pierced earlobes copper earrings normally worn by married women

A Samburu youth, his head freshly shaved, has milk poured over him from a wooden gourd-like container decorated with green grass prior to his circumcision

A Samburu warrior has his Ochred hair braided by a friend. A mixture of cows urine and ashes is often rubbed into the hair first to help straighten it

A young Samburu man leads a donkey carrying the basic structure of a temporary home. The curved sticks will be tied together in a dome and covered with hides

Elaborate headdress and body adornments worn by Samburu moran (warrior)

Mobile safari in Kenya with Samburu moran warriors as game spotters

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Beaded Necklaces: A Glimpse into the Vibrant Cultures of Africa In the heart of Africa, beaded necklaces tell stories that transcend time and space. From the young Msai girls who delicately decorate their faces with ochre to the Pokot warrior, donned in a cheetah skin, leaping high in celebration during an Atelo ceremony - these intricate adornments are more than just accessories; they are symbols of tradition and identity. Imagine a Samburu warrior, his resplendent braided hair cascading down his back, exuding strength and pride. Or picture two young Datoga boys proudly displaying their heritage through vibrant beads adorning their youthful attire. These beaded treasures connect generations and serve as a testament to cultural preservation. A Msai warrior stands tall with long braids swaying in harmony with his body coated in earthy hues. His presence commands respect while showcasing the artistry behind each bead meticulously strung together. Meanwhile, Nyag atom girls captivate onlookers with contrasting leather aprons or skirts adorned with colorful beads - an embodiment of elegance amidst diversity. The allure continues as we encounter a Mursi woman wearing a large clay lip plate that symbolizes beauty within her community. Her beaded necklace complements this striking feature, adding another layer to her captivating appearance. Witnessing a Wa-Arusha warrior carrying home a yoke embellished with beads is akin to witnessing history unfold before our eyes - traditions passed down from one generation to another like precious heirlooms. And let us not forget about the Turkana women; whether it's an old woman wearing all the finery of her tribe or simply catching sight of one from behind, adorned in long strands of beads that cascade down her back like rivers flowing through ancient lands - they embody resilience and grace.