Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0018-0135   CAS 0018-0135; Waist ornament
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Bead & Leatherwork
Object Name Waist ornament
Culture Kikuyu
Global Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Country Kenya
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1900-1930
Collection Name N/A
Materials Leather; Glass beads; Cowrie (Cypraeidae) shells; Metal chain
Description Clothing accessory ornament worn around the waist by young women, consisting of triangular leather panel completely decorated on front by beadwork; Pattern consists of central row of overlapping circles in pink and red with row of cowrie shell beads down the center, all on multi-colored background (white, red, pink, black, white, and blue; Red and pink beads form a border around all three sides, with additional blue and white border along top; Short lengths of metal chain form fringe along bottom; Leather thong for attaching ornament to waist is threaded through pair of holes along top.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 17.7, Thickness = 1.1, Length = 20.5