Maasai Village Kenya East Africa 7/22/84 (2) woman and (2) children in traditional garments. The woman in the forefront is holding a Mancala board, dressed with a Shúkà (sheet wrapped around the body), in traditional beads, with piercings customary to the tribe. The Maasai clothing symbolizes ethnic group membership, involvement in a pastoralist lifestyle, as well as an individual's social position within the lifecycle of the Maasai .From this, they can decide on roles and responsibilities associated with the particular stage of their lives. customary Her Beads are a symbol and celebration of womanhood, sexuality, femininity, fertility, healing, spirituality, body shaping, first menses, protection, seduction, and wealth, amongst other things. The piercing and stretching of earlobes are common among the Maasai as with other tribes, and both men and women wear metal hoops on their stretched earlobes. As for why her hair; Upon reaching the age of 3 "moons", the child is named and the head is shaved clean apart from a tuft of hair, which resembles a cockade, from the nape of the neck to the forehead. [41] Warriors are the only members of the Maasai community to wear long hair, which they weave in thinly braided strands In the background is Maasai thorny fence made of Acacia tree branches to hide livestock from wild African animals at night. The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best-known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes and their distinctive customs and dress. Size: 23 5/8 x 16 5/8 in. 15 3/8 x 10 5/8 in. #2358