Waist Belt
Maasai
1900–1999
- Medium
- Animal hide, metal, and glass beads
- Dimensions
- with leather strap: 19.7 × 76.9 × 1.3 cm (7 3/4 × 30 1/4 × 1/2 in.)
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
beltEastern and Southern Africamaasaiafrican Artarts of Africabelts (costume accessory)glass beadsmetalhide
About
This beaded object relates to morans, the warriors of Maasai society. These men are trained and initiated into a group that guards the community and traditional customs as well as cattle. A moran would have worn these as part of his colorful daily dress. The heavy use of white beads offers protection from the evil eye and other negative outside influences.
