Warrior's thigh bell (Oltuala loormurran)

"In the Maasai society, people that are initiated between 18 years of age to 25 years of age, are considered to be a warrior, meaning that you're becoming a person who's responsible to protect your community and so forth.

"You have to hunt a lion to show you are brave. And a shield . . . and spears, and a bell are . . . used in that process. (BELL RING) This bell is known in the Maasai language, as oltuala loormurran. When you go out there in search for lions, before you see the lion, you must mute this bell using leaves. After you see the lion, then you take the leaves out . . . and ring the bell. (BELL RING) This bell will upset the lion and the lion will wait for you . . . and that is the artistic part." (Kakuta Hamisi, 2001)

Leather, beads, metal, metal beads, and paper

7 1/2 x 6 in.

General Acquisition Fund

2000.14.11

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Art from Africa: Long Steps Never Broke a Back, Feb. 7 - May 19, 2002 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Oct. 2, 2004 - Jan. 2, 2005; Hartford, Connecticut, Wadsworth Atheneum, Feb. 12 - June 19, 2005; Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Art Museum, Oct. 8, 2005 - Jan. 1, 2006; Nashville, Tennessee, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Jan. 27 - Apr. 30, 2006 [as African Art, African Voices: Long Steps Never Broke a Back]).

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