Turkana - Material Culture
Introduction
Beadwork
Dolls
Houses
Men's possessions
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Turkana - Material Culture |
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| In this page: Introduction Beadwork Dolls Houses Men's possessions |
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In spite of the poverty of their land, the Turkana have managed to create something out of almost everything that surrounds them. The materials they use reveal an incredible ability to use almost everything that composes their environment: leather, iron from smelted haematite ore, copper from old electric wires, aluminium and tin from old cans and spoons, wood, beads and seeds, nuts, shells, fish vertebra, horns and hoofs, bones and stones, tusks, gourds, ligaments and plumes, hair and tails of livestock for decorations and charms, and nowadays even old car tyres which are turned into supremely comfortable '5000-mile shoes'. To misquote the proverb: scarcity is the mother of invention!
Like the Maasai and Samburu (and many other pastoralist peoples), they are also well known for their colourful and often intricate beadwork. This is primarily the preserve of the women, and their colour, form and arrangement can have both social as well as ritual significance.
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| Arrac apron | Girls' necklaces | Obolio necklace |
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| Fertility doll | Raffia palm-nut doll |
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| Lakeside reed houses | |
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| Finger knife | Wrist knife | Tobacco horn | |||
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| Headrest - from side | Headrest - from top | ||||
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