Tribal Jewelry Collection

An old Kikuyu lady picks coffee Taken in the 1960 s, this photograph depicts a traditional form of dress and ear ornaments among Kikuyu women, which has completely disappeared

Almost every Himba woman wears anklets. They comprise strands of homemade metal beads threaded onto leather. Women cover their bodies in red ochre mixed with butterfat

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 Himba woman in traditional attire. Her body gleams from a mixture of red ochre, butterfat and herbs. Her long hair is styled in the traditional Himba way

An attractive !Kung woman. The !Kung are San hunter-gatherers, often referred to as Bushmen. They differ in appearance from the rest of black Africa having yellowish skin and being lightly boned

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

A Msai warrior in full battle cry, his long-bladed spear at the ready

The traditional weaponry of the Turkana warriors consisted of a long-shafted spear with a narrow blade, a small rectangular shield made of giraffe or buffalo hide

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

Two Mursi men with singular hairstyles play a game of bau as a young boy watches them. Most men possess rifles to protect their families from hostile neighbours

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

Hadza youth sings to the accompaniment of his two-stringed musical instrument
Sitting on a Greater Kudu skin, a Hadza youth wearing a baboon skin cape sings to the accompaniment of his two-stringed musical instrument.The Hadzabe are a thousand-strong community of

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

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

During an eunoto ceremony when Msai warriors become junior elders, their heads are shaved and they daub themselves with white clay

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

Young Datoga man in a well
A young Datoga man helps to draw water for his familys livestock from a well on the east side of Lake Manyara. All young men wear strings of twisted yellow and light blue beads round their waists

A Himba mother and baby son relax outside their dome-shaped home. Their bodies gleam from a mixture of red ochre, butterfat and herbs

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

El Molo fishermen in their dugout canoe on the fringe of the Omo Delta. The El Molo are reputedly Kenyas smallest tribe, a group of nomadic fishermen who fish the Omo delta and Lake turkana

A Msai warrior speaks on his mobile phone from the saddle of his camel near Lake Magadi in Kenyas Rift Valley Province. Mobile phones are a popular method of communicating with family

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

Kenya, Kajiado, lpartimaro. Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers

One of the most important Msai ceremonies is the eunoto when warriors become junior elders. Early one morning before the cattle are taken to pasture, their mothers shave their long ochred locks

Msai warriors resplendent with long ochred braids relax and wait for the start of a ceremony. Red has always been their preferred colour

Donkeys are indispensable beast of burden, assuring the nomadic Turkana of complete mobility. These study little animals carry the few essentials of life in oval panniers strapped to their flanks

A Turkana man with a fine clay hairstyle, so typical of the southern Turkana. The black ostrich feather pompoms denote that the man belongs to the ng imor (black) moiety of his tribe

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

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"Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Tribal Jewelry: A Glimpse into Cultural Adornments" Step back in time to witness the captivating allure of tribal jewelry, a reflection of age-old traditions and cultural identities. Young Maasai girls delicately paint their faces with ochre, an ancient practice that symbolizes beauty and femininity. In the 1960s, an old Kikuyu lady gracefully picks coffee while donning her treasured ornaments, showcasing her heritage through intricate pieces. Venturing further into Africa's diverse tribes, we discover that anklets are more than just accessories for Himba women; they are symbols of status and grace as almost every woman proudly adorns them. The Samburu warrior stands tall with his long braided hair coated in vibrant ochre hues, embodying strength and tradition. Journeying to Tanzania's Datoga tribe reveals two young boys adorned in colorful beads - a visual representation of their coming-of-age rituals. Meanwhile, a Himba woman elegantly drapes herself in traditional attire, exemplifying the timeless elegance passed down through generations. Witnessing the majestic presence of Maasai warriors is awe-inspiring; their long braids sway as they move with purpose and power. Their bodies coated in ochre tell tales of bravery and resilience as they prepare for battle or celebrate victories. Intriguing contrasts emerge when observing Nyagatom girls' leather aprons or skirts side by side - each design reflecting unique stories within this community. Further south among Mursi women lies another striking adornment: large clay lip plates that signify beauty ideals deeply rooted within their culture. Lastly, we encounter Hadza youth serenading us with heartfelt melodies accompanied by a two-stringed musical instrument - reminding us how music intertwines with jewelry as expressions of identity and unity across tribes. Tribal jewelry serves not only as embellishments but also bridges connecting past traditions with the present.