Collar

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-neck garments

Culture Turkana

Date20th Century

Made AtTanzania, Africa

MediumLeather and beads

DimensionsOverall: 4 x 10 in. (10.2 x 25.4 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number97.138.58

DescriptionThis is a beaded leather collar originating from Kenya. Both men and women of the Maasai traditionally wore animal skins dyed with a vegetable pigment that featured similar bright colors to this collar. It was thought that the bright color scared away lions and served as a natural camouflage against the red earth of Tanzania. Neck coils made from made of iron, brass, or copper were worn by many peoples from the greater east-central African region, including the Dinka, Maasai, Turkana, Toposa, Rendille, and Pokot. Since the introduction of glass beads in the 19thCentury, the same styles of neck coils have evolved into objects like this Turkana beaded collar.

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