Maasai women have been making jewelry for many years even before the Maasai had any contact with the Europeans. Beaded jewelry was introduced to their culture during the 1800's but it did not become popular until the 1900's. During this time the Maasai used natural resources to make their beads. That included materials like seeds, dried grasses, clay, wood, bone, and copper. Later on after their contact with the Europeans, glass beads were made available to them. Today, the beads are made of plastic or glass but the method of making the collars remains the same. Beading is only done by women and they take time out of each day to get together to make them.
There are many different colors used and they each have a specific meaning behind them. Usually when Maasai people meet, a cow is killed. Red is the color of blood therefore signifying blood and unity. The milk of a cow is white and that is why white is used to represent health as well peace and purity. Blue is the color of the sky, where the rain comes from, signifying energy and the sky. Green is the color of grass, signifying the land and black represents struggle.
There are strict rules when it comes to making jewelry. Each color is either a primary color or a secondary color and there are special guidelines as to what colors can be placed together. If a woman does not follow the rules of her tribe, her jewelry is evidence of her mistake resulting in embarrassment. Each village has its own rules on how to make jewelry that represents the tribe as a whole not just as individuals.
There are many different colors used and they each have a specific meaning behind them. Usually when Maasai people meet, a cow is killed. Red is the color of blood therefore signifying blood and unity. The milk of a cow is white and that is why white is used to represent health as well peace and purity. Blue is the color of the sky, where the rain comes from, signifying energy and the sky. Green is the color of grass, signifying the land and black represents struggle.
There are strict rules when it comes to making jewelry. Each color is either a primary color or a secondary color and there are special guidelines as to what colors can be placed together. If a woman does not follow the rules of her tribe, her jewelry is evidence of her mistake resulting in embarrassment. Each village has its own rules on how to make jewelry that represents the tribe as a whole not just as individuals.