Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0513-0125   CAS 0513-0125; Waistband
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Bead & Leatherwork
Object Name Waistband
Culture Rendille
Global Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Country Kenya
State/Prov./Dist. Marsabit, Rendilleland
County
Other Geographic Data Marsabit, Rendilleland
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1977
Collection Name N/A
Materials Ostrich egg shell beads; Leather; Native cordage; Bubunto tree seed beads
Description Waistband made and worn by young girls and women under their skirts and intended to be seen only by their boyfriends or husbands; Waistband consists of string of round disc beads made from pieces of ostrich egg shell, all strung on leather thong and native cordage; Ends of strand are joined together at one end which also includes single bubunto tree seed bead; Short string of additional eggshell beads and another bubunto tree seed bead are over and knotted at opposite end of bead strand.
Dimensions (cm) Max Diam = 2.1, Length = 43.5