Waist Belt

Description

This beaded object relates to morans, the warriors of Maasai society. These men are trained and initiated into a group that guards the community and traditional customs as well as cattle. A moran would have worn these as part of his colorful daily dress. The heavy use of white beads offers protection from the evil eye and other negative outside influences.

Provenance

African Tribal Art Gallery De Ruijter–Van Santen, the Netherlands; sold to Michael R. Mack, Atlanta, 2015; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2024.

Waist Belt

Maasai

20th century

Accession Number

271735

Medium

Animal hide, metal, and glass beads

Dimensions

with leather strap: 19.7 × 76.9 × 1.3 cm (7 3/4 × 30 1/4 × 1/2 in.)

Classification

belts (costume accessory)

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of the Michael R. Mack Collection