Beaded onto leather.
Only a Maasai married woman may wear these beaded ear flaps. These ear flaps were worn as signs of marriage.
Tribal
custom states that her husband must never see her without them. Most
of the colors used in Maasai beadwork relate directly to their pastoral lifestyle. The color green represents the grass, which is believed to be a sacred
element because it nourishes the Maasai’s cattle. Red and white are considered life-sustaining colors representing the blood and milk of cattle,
which they could not survive without. Other colors, such as orange and
black, represent hospitality and hardship, respectively.
By including these
colors in their beadwork, the Maasai are able to visually reference their
beliefs and important aspects of their lives.
Height: 5" x Width: 2 3/4" (each) - on its 4" square base, they stand 6 1/2" tall x 6 1/4" in width
