Beaded robe, 1 of 2

A beaded robe with metal chains and round, flat sequins. This Maasai beaded piece has come from the Gelai Bomba ('Broken Pipe') village of the Longido region of North Tanzania, East Africa. Maasai beadwork is done specifically by women, but are worn by both men and women. Initially, beads were made of dried grass, sticks, clay, seeds, and shells, these have been mostly replaced by plastic and glass. Maasai beadwork is worn according to the age and social status of an individual and the colours have different meanings for example red (blood, bravery, and unity), white (health, peace, and purity), blue (the colour of the sky represents energy), green (colour of grass signifies the land and production), black (the people and their struggles), yellow (the sun, fertility, and growth) and orange (warmth, generosity, and friendship).

AIBDC : 008450.1