Maasai Jewelry Shadowbox
A shadowbox containing beaded Maasai jewelry. The frame is a rich burgundy wood. Displayed within are 3 necklaces, one bracelet, four pairs of earrings, and a photo of three Maasai women wearing their own jewelry.
- Object: Maasai Jewelry Shadowbox
- Artist: -
- Circa: unknown
- Dimensions: 21" x 9.75" x 1.5"
- Culture Area: Africa / Kenya
- Cultural Group: Maasai
- Cultural Context: In Maasai beading, each color has its own meaning related to a variety of cultural values and the material world. Red: bravery, unity, and blood. Often a cow is slaughtered when the Maasai meet and therefore unity is associated with red. White: peace, purity, and health. The association with health comes from white cows milk which the tribe drinks to stay healthy. Blue: energy and the sky. Orange: hospitality. Visitors are served cows milk from orange gourds. Yellow: also symbolizes hospitality. The animal skins on visitors beds are yellow. Green: health and land. Black: the people and the struggles they must endure.
- Donor: Sharon Koch
- Catalog #: 2025.5.35