Masai (Maasai) Beaded Belts
Adorn yourself with a piece of living tradition! Maasai beaded belts are more than just an accessory, they're a vibrant tapestry of history and culture woven into wearable art.
Each belt is meticulously crafted by hand, with generations of storytelling embedded in every stitch. The colorful beads speak a silent language, signifying everything from bravery and social status to age group and marital status.
Wrap yourself in a unique piece of Kenyan heritage, a belt that's as rich in tradition as it is stunning to behold.
HISTORY OF MASAI BEAD WORK
The beaded ornaments represent Masai cultural values and traditions.
The practice of bead work typically done by women, and it's considered their duty to learn bead work.
Masai Belts can be worn both by men and women.
While the Masai have been crafting jewelry for hundreds of years, they didn’t start using the tiny beads we’re now familiar with until the 19th century.
Before, beads were made of local materials sourced from nature, including twigs, horn, and bone.
To make beads, women used seeds or clay, which were then dyed to achieve a specific color.
European traders later introduced colored glass beads from Italy.
Eventually, the Czech Republic overtook Italy as the main manufacturer of glass beads: to this day, many fine jewelry pieces are still made from quality Czech glass beads.
MEANING OF COLORS
There are a number of different colors used in Masai bead work and each one holds a special meaning:
Red signifies blood, bravery and unity.
White represents health, peace and purity.
Blue is the color of the sky and represents energy.
Green is the color of grass, which signifies the land and production.
Black represents the people and the struggle they must endure.
Yellow symbolizes the sun, fertility and growth
FEATURES
Material: Leather, Masai Glass Beads
ABOUT US
Khangadelic is a Sustainable Fashion Label. Khangadelic symbolizes the colour and vibrancy of Kenyan Coastal Culture and Lifestyle through contemporary clothing and accessories.
We have a passion for Fashion and a love for the environment.
Our clothing items are a fusion of East meets west tying in the traditional Kenyan fabric which is Khanga and has proverbs printed on them that are used by women to tie round the waist while doing chores, carrying their babies on their back and for ceremonial use such as weddings.
