Tribal Custom Collection

A Waddy Fight, from Australian Pictures by Howard Willoughby, published
KW330033 A Waddy Fight, from Australian Pictures by Howard Willoughby, published by the Religious Tract Society, London, 1886 (litho) by English School

The Buffalo Dance, from Harpers Weekly, pub 1887 (engraving)
3105569 The Buffalo Dance, from Harpers Weekly, pub 1887 (engraving) by Remington, Frederic (1861-1909); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; American, out of copyright

A Mursi man smears his body with a mixture of local chalk and water and then draws designs with his fingertips to enhance his physical appearance.The Mursi speak a Nilotic language

!Kung women sing and clap their hands to the rhythm of their menfolk. The !Kung are San hunter-gatherers, often referred to as Bushmen

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

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)

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 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

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 Nyangatom boy catches blood from the artery of a cow in a gourd. The cow is bled by firing an arrow with a very short head into the artery of the cow

A Borana man at Mega in southern Ethiopia wears a phallic Kallaacha on his forehead. Made of cast aluminium and ivory or bone

A Dassanech man in full tribal regalia participates in a dance during a month-long ceremony. He wears a cheetah skin draped on his backs and a black ostrich-feather headdress

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"Tribal Customs: A Glimpse into the Rich Tapestry of Cultural Traditions" From ancient times to modern days, tribal customs have shaped and defined communities across the globe. These captivating glimpses into various tribes' rituals and practices offer us a window into their unique way of life. In Australia, we witness an intense Waddy Fight captured by Howard Willoughby in his publication "Australian Pictures. " The raw power and skill displayed during this traditional combat showcase the strength and resilience of these indigenous warriors. Traveling back in time to 1887, Harper's Weekly presents us with an engraving titled "The Buffalo Dance. " This mesmerizing depiction takes us deep into Native American culture, where dance becomes a spiritual connection between man and nature. Venturing further east to Kenya's South Horr village of Kurungu, we encounter. Kung women clapping hands harmoniously with their menfolk. Their rhythmic melodies echo through the air, symbolizing unity within their community. Moving on to Ethiopia's Mursi tribe, we witness a man smearing his body with a local mixture. This act not only serves as protection but also represents cultural identity deeply rooted in ancestral traditions. Amongst the proud Samburu people stands a mother beaming with joy after her two sons undergo circumcision – an important rite of passage for young boys transitioning into manhood. The pride she exudes reflects generations of heritage preserved within this tight-knit community. During the month following their circumcision ceremony, Samburu initiates fill the air with melodious songs that resonate throughout their surroundings. These chants serve as reminders of shared experiences while solidifying bonds amongst fellow initiates. Adorned with bird skins hanging from his headband, a Samburu initiate embodies tradition fused with spirituality. His attire signifies respect for nature and reverence towards animals that play significant roles within their belief system. With precision and focus, another Samburu initiate takes aim at a bird using a blunt arrow.