Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Maasai Wedding Jewelry

Wearing gorgeous Maasai beaded wedding collars, bead working has a rich history among Maasai women on their wedding day.

 

Bead working has a rich history among the Maasai women
Bead working has a rich history among Maasai women.

Maasai brides wear an elaborate beaded wedding collar or inkarewa on her wedding day. African jewelry such as the inkarewa is created from a wide variety of materials including beads, seeds, woods, gourds, bone, ivory, copper, and brass.

Maasai Wedding Jewelry

Generally, African jewelry is made from materials that are immediately available to the artist in their community. White beads created from clay, shells, ivory, or bone. Black and blue beads fashioned from iron, charcoal, seeds, clay, or animal horns. Red beads came from seeds, woods, gourds, bone, ivory, copper, or brass.

The style of African jewelry is as wide and varied as the continent of Africa. African jewelry is created for more than personal adornment by the wearer; it also designates rank, class, affluence, rites of passage and tribal association. Certain kinds of jewelry are worn only by men or by women.

Bead working has a rich history among the Maasai women. The Maasai communicate their identity and position in Maasai society through body decorations and body painting. Maasai women wear elaborate ensembles of beaded clothing and adornment, including necklaces and ear ornaments. 

Marriage in traditional Maasai tribes is an arranged event. The elders arrange marriages and brides are married off for a dowry of cattle which is the measure of wealthy in Maasai society.

Maasai Women photo by neate photos


In traditional African jewelry bones are commonly used to make jewelry. Maasai cultures throughout Africa have passed down the process of bone carving from generation to generation with each elaborate beaded wedding collar or inkarewa using bone carving being a handmade work of art.

The bride wears her marriage collar or inkarewa on her wedding day. The Maasai inkarewa is created with a sense of honor and fine artistry since the bridal collar is thought to be a reflection on the bride. Similarly, in the United States a brides wedding dress sets the tone for the entire wedding party. 

Maasai women inkarewa wedding collars are worn on the brides wedding day and is one of the most important piece of wedding day attire. African jewelry such as the inkarewa is created from a wide variety of materials including beads, seeds, woods, gourds, bone, ivory, copper, and brass.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

More Articles to Read ♛♛♛

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

May the Devil Take Yours Bones: Curses in Tanzania

Image
To ward off curses, witchcraft and evil spirits, the use of protective symbols such as wearing or hanging a talisman called Gurudumu is common practice. In Tanzania, witchcraft superstitions are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and traditions. Witchcraft superstitions such as albino witchcraft and curses are powerful beliefs throughout certain parts of Tanzania. A talisman called Gurudumu. Albino Curses and Witchcraft in Tanzania. There is a strong belief in the existence of albino witches who are thought to possess magical powers. This belief has unfortunately led to the persecution and violence against albinos, as some people seek their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals. Some traditional beliefs and superstitions associate albinism with supernatural or magical powers. This misconception fuels the demand for albino body parts, as they are believed to possess mystical properties that can bring wealth, success, or protection from harm. In certain communities, there is a bel
Read the Article

Top Dog Breed in Africa the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Image
History and enduring popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a remarkable African breed of dog. Learn about the Rhodesian Ridgeback origins in southern Africa to its rise in prominence among European settlers in Rhodesia, this unique canine possesses a captivating blend of courage, strength, and loyalty. Discover why the Rhodesian Ridgeback has become a beloved companion and versatile working dog, both in its native Africa and around the world. Uncover the secrets behind its distinctive ridge and the traits that have made it a sought-after breed, ensuring its enduring popularity. Rhodesian Ridgeback The captivating history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a true symbol of African heritage and excellence. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a distinctive breed of dog that originated in southern Africa, particularly in what is now known as Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). The history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dates back several centuries and is intertwined with the exploration, colonization, and develop
Read the Article

Using Amen and Ashe or Ase

Image
Usage of Amen and Ashe or Ase Ashe to Amen learn about the custom of using the words Ashe and Amen historically. Where did the word Amen and Ashe come from why is it said and what does it mean? In Judaism, 3,500 years old and Christian religions 2,000 years old, Amen, means may it be so. In the African Yoruba language among the Yoruba people whose culture is as old as time, Ashe or Ase means may it be so. Ase or Ashe means power, commandment, and authority, the ability to make whatever one says happen from the spiritual to the physical realm. In the Yoruba language, Ashe is omnipresent spiritual energy. Followers of Judaism and Christian religions use the word Amen. It is the word utilized to end prayers as an affirmation for the requests to be provided by God. Yoruba is as old as time, Ashe refers to the life force within all living things, the spark that animates life. It is used as a term used in the same manner as Amen at the end of appeals and prayers as an affirmati
Read the Article

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
Read the Article