Beaded Jewellery Collection

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 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

Himba women perform the otjiunda dance, stamping their feet, clapping and chanting while one of them gyrates in the centre of the circle

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 youth with his hair styled in a long plait, known as ondatu. Once married, he will split the ondatu into two plaits and keep them covered

Two happy Himba girls ride a donkey to market. Their bodies gleam from a mixture of red ochre, butterfat and herbs. Their long hair is styled in the traditional Himba way

A Himba woman milks a cow in the stock enclosure close to her home. Traditional milk containers made from hollowed wood are preferred to their modern equivalents

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

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 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

An old Himba woman, upright despite her years, rides her donkey through harsh land where mid-day temperatures rise to 400C. Her body gleams from a mixture of red ochre, butterfat and herbs

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

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

Two young Samburu girls help each other preparing for a celebration, Wamba District, Kenya Two young Samburu girls help each other preparing for a Kenya, Wamba District

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

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

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

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

Beaded cross-belts worn by a Laikipiak Msai elder

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

Mobile safari in Kenya with Samburu moran warriors as game spotters

A young Dassanech boy silhouetted against the evening sky at his settlement alongside the Omo River. Much the largest of the tribes in the Omo Valley numbering around 50, 000

A Karo man with braided hair plays a traditional stringed instrument beside the Omo River near Duss. Young men settle disputes by fighting with hippo hide whips

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"Beaded Jewellery: A Glimpse into the Vibrant Traditions of African Cultures" Immerse yourself in the captivating world of beaded jewellery, where each piece tells a story steeped in rich cultural heritage. Picture an enchanting Himba woman adorned in traditional attire, her body radiating with a mesmerizing blend of red ochre. The intricate beadwork adorning her neck and wrists reflects centuries-old traditions passed down through generations. Travel back to the 1960s as you witness an old Kikuyu lady delicately picking coffee, her weathered hands adorned with delicate bead bracelets that whisper tales of resilience and hard work. In another scene, almost every Himba woman gracefully moves to the rhythm of life wearing anklets that jingle melodiously with each step they take during their vibrant otjiunda dance. Marvel at a Samburu warrior whose resplendent appearance is enhanced by his long braided hair meticulously coated with ochre pigment. His regal presence is further accentuated by beaded adornments that symbolize strength and courage within his community. Step into the world of young Datoga boys who exude joy while donning colourful beads around their necks - a reflection of their youthful spirit and sense of belonging within their tribe. Witness how these same beads become an integral part of identity for a young Datoga boy attired in them; it serves as a visual representation connecting him to his roots. Observe a Himba youth proudly displaying his ondatu hairstyle - a long plait intricately woven with beads - signifying growth, maturity, and readiness for adulthood within his culture. Experience pure bliss as two happy Himba girls ride atop a donkey en route to market, showcasing not only their playful nature but also how even mundane tasks are transformed into moments filled with beauty and tradition. Witness the harmonious relationship between humans and animals as you observe a Himba woman milking a cow in the stock enclosure near her home.