The culture of the country can be best depicted through the artwork of its local artists. African art is considered to be the oldest art in the world history. There are numerous African art lovers across the world. The African art has sturdily influenced western art and architecture. Traditional art portrays the African arts most admired and studied forms which can be usually found in museum collections. An artwork that depicts diverse spheres of African culture through its colors and art pieces is Masai artwork.
The Masai are one of the most famous African ethnic people known today. Living in southern Kenya and North central Tanzania these tall graceful people dress in many varieties of red and seem to refuse against all pressures to settle down to a village or agricultural life believing it a sin to cultivate land, as it is considered ruined for grazing after cultivation. They are nomadic and live by herding cattle and goats. n advance through different divisions in their age group hoping to achieve the status of a warrior. Traditionally, the only way to achieve this status is to single handily kill a lion with a spear. Known for their elaborate beadwork, the Masai seem to be obsessed with red; they rub red dye all over their bodies and also cover themselves in elaborate red beadwork. Another art form of the Masai is hair braiding. Most Masai will spend days doing elaborate hair designs. Men will sometimes grow their hair into huge braids similar to the women. The most famous and appreciated masai artwork is the authentic African masai shield which is handcrafted with symbolic colors and a true spirit of African people. The shield is handcrafted with genuine leather cowhide. The red color signifies the struggle for independence. Black and brown symbolizes the African people and white stands for peace and unity.
The Masai artwork is dominated with beadwork. The beadwork is slightly different from section to section. The collection of artwork includes a full Masai bridal costume, elders' traditional objects, and a warrior's outfit. The specific art pieces includes jewelry, a shield, a warrior's spear, ceremonial headdress, ceremonial clothing made of leather, tribal game board, among many other art pieces. These are not the usual Masai artworks found in curio shops or in commercial art galleries. They are authentic pieces found only in Masailand.
Maasai are best known for their beautiful beadwork which plays an essential element in the embellishment of the body. Beading patterns are determined by each age-set and classify grades. Young men, who often cover their bodies in ocher to enhance their facade, may spend hours and days working on elaborate hairstyles, which are ritually shaved as they pass into the next age-grade. Masai market is also called an outdoor flee market that carries all handmade garnishing and jewelry designed by them. Each piece of work has a rich ethnicity behind it.
Much of the jewelry they wear is symbolic through colors and patterns. A piece of jewelry with a very significant meaning is the wedding necklace. This is a necklace that a couple receives at their wedding. It is a solid color with a square in the middle and fringes that are tied in certain ways depending on the wedding gifts the couple received and the livestock they own.
Author Resource:-
The Author of this article represent Large range of original tribal Masai art, painted with oil on canvas by highly skilled artists.
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