East African Ornaments

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

East African Ornaments

Posted by Edith D on March 11, 2013 at 2:12am

I don't know much about these except that they were purchased in Kenya. The bead work is sewn to a leather flap that opens. I think they a hair ornaments, and I think they could be Masai, but would welcome any comments or information.

Comments

Edith D March 11, 2013 at 2:16am

This is photo shows a detail of an African carving we have. I noticed that the hair ornaments look very much like the objects above.
Edith D March 11, 2013 at 2:17am

Here is a detail of how these open...
Joost Daalder March 11, 2013 at 3:32pm

I can't vouch for them, Edith, but they do look to me in colour range, general patterning and feel like Masai pieces, or otherwise from a group near them. Not, for example, from South Africa. Definitely, I would say, African. They appear to have age, too!
Edith D March 11, 2013 at 5:36pm

Thanks, Joost. I don't know how old they are, but I am pretty sure that they have been used, and aren't something made for the tourist market. My father-in-law purchased them when he lived in Kenya, but I know that there are many tribal groups there, and I am not 100% sure which tribe these are from. But, as you have stated, they do appear to be Masai.

By the way, FYI for those Ethnic Jewel people out there interested in African stuff....we found out something really shocking when we were living in Southern Africa. Apparently, Chinese are buying traditional bead work and basketry in Africa, sending them to China to be duplicated, and then sending new "African" objects back to Africa to be sold to tourists!!! I have an uneasy feeling that this may be happening all over the continent. Usually I am very much in favor of buying new ethnographic objects as long as they are authentic, but after my discovery about Chinese imitations, I think one needs to be careful that what you are purchasing is the real thing!
Stefany Tomalin March 18, 2013 at 10:49pm

Maasai head ornaments -the small beads down the centre are Czech so its likely the small embroidery beads are as well.
Edith D March 19, 2013 at 12:34am

Thanks so much Stefany! I thought so, but wasn't sure. Do you have any idea about the age of the beads on these?
Edith D January 17, 2017 at 4:36pm

Thanks to Zhanna for finally identifying these for us! Apparently they are used as earrings!
Joost Daalder January 19, 2017 at 1:44pm

Grat to have that further information!
Edith D January 19, 2017 at 3:55pm

Here is a picture I found of someone wearing similar ear flaps!

Gallery

East African Ornaments

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