Masaai wedding necklace
Title |
Masaai wedding necklace |
Description |
7 x 31' ; cowri shells, beads, leather, nuts; In the Masaai people of Kenya, both males and females wear beaded Jewelry. This is one of 40 different bead designs of the Masaai people, and is worn by a woman at her wedding. The cowrie shells are symbols of fertility, and are typically worn by unmarried girls to distinguish themselves following ritual circumcision. The colors are symbolic: blue represents God (the color of the sky he inhabits); black represents night; together, blue and black represent God or the sky. Green represented 'vegetation after a rainfall,' the symbol of peace. |
Subject |
Jewelry ; Art, African ; Africa, East ; Beadwork ; African Tour |
Publisher |
Purchased by Dr. James E. Layman at Nairobi city market.; Kenya; 1999 |
Rights |
Giertz Education Center @ the Krannert Art Museum |
you wish to report:
...