Image Coming Soon

Armband

late 20th century

Young morans (warriors) made and wore these ornaments when they were segregated together in a camp called olpul. Roughly known as "meat camps," olpul was devoted to honoring and harvesting the many cattle that are still the center of a moran's life. Originally, part of the horn of a bull calf was used to make the base for the armband and the remainder of the horn was used for storing milk or butter. Telephone wire and aluminum dangles set the stage for a sequence of colored glass beads in the colors that form the Maasai palette.

Wood, metal, wire, and beads

L.: 11 1/2 in.

Diam., Of band: 3 5/8 in.

Gift in memory of Marilyn O'Keeffe from Seattle Art Museum staff

98.1

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, A Bead Quiz, July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM