Here we are featuring a beautiful choker & bracelet, made of seeds and reeds gathered by the Pokot people from northern Kenya, combined with tiny glass beads from the Maasai in the central-western region. These natural elements are worked together in a lovely, sophisticated design. The seeds are a natural shade of light brown, polished to a high sheen, so that they resemble beads. The choker fastens with a twisting barrel clasp and the bracelet has elastic to fit any hand. The Pokot people are nomadic pastoralists who are not involved in cultivation but rely totally on livestock. As the clans travel to new grazing areas, herding their cattle and camels, the women cut reeds, which grow along the riverbeds. They cut these reeds into very short pieces (resembling cork) and string them together like beads. The Pokot and Turkana tribal women also collect various seeds in the semi-arid northern regions, which are used in jewelry and other ornamentation. There are 42 different tribes in Kenya and all of them have distinct traditions and customs, which are an important part of their lives. This Kenyan craft woman has taken traditional elements and designs of various ethnic groups in Africa and put them together to create new jewelry of unique and stunning designs. This choker is approx. 14 inches in length and the bracelet is approx. 2 inch wide. |