This is a beaded object from the Samburu tribe. The Samburu are a plain Nilotic ethnic group of agro-pastoral herders living in northern Kenya. They are closely related to the Masaai and Turkana and so is the art style. In this region, bead decorations are an essential component of an everyday dress. Beads signify age grade, marital status, and station in society. Most pieces from this region have multiple coloured beads (white, red, yellow, brown, black, green and blue) strapped as decorations to a strip of cloth, animal hide or piece of leather. Most made by women in Samburu society.
This is a fine example of artwork with unique bead-shaped decorations which is typical of the Samburu. Such belts were used to distinguish between age groups, development stage, occasions, and status of individuals or groups in the Samburu community. The Samburu women used to tie these belts around their waists and these belts were made out of leather or animal skin and were embellished with old beads. The thick layer of leather at the back is old and shows traces of usage but still in good condition.
- Material: Leather and beads
- Age: approximately 55-75 yrs
- Origin: Kenya
- Condition: Good
- SKU: CBDL-001
- Weight: 0.2 kg
- Dimensions: 6 x 76 x 0.4 cm