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Beaded jewellery such as this Blue Beaded Maasai Ceremonial Necklace traditionally indicate age and social status in the Maasai culture and are handmade by Maasai women with glass seed beads. Sometimes, specific necklaces are created to commemorate important life events like engagements and marriage. This particular one also has dangling chains added for decoration and is worn by men as a ceremonial piece for weddings and traditional events.

Each bead that is used by the Maasai has meaning behind it.  In this necklace, the blue symbolizes sustenance, energy, and the bright blue sky which provides water for the people and their cattle. The black beads on the other hand symbolize unity and solidarity, which also represents the struggle the Maasai people endure which ultimately brings them together as people. The red beads also represent bravery and strength and symbolize the blood of the cattle that are slaughtered for sustenance and during celebrations. The yellow beads in the necklace represent fertility, health, and growth and symbolizes the sun that helps grow grass o feed the cattle and nourish life. Lastly, the white represents purity and health, the latter being associated with cow’s milk, which provides nourishment.

Note: This design of necklace is available in various colour choices. Due to the handmade nature of each piece, no two are exactly alike.

Final product may not be as shown…these are individually handcrafted and selection of beads, designs, etc. will have the same high-quality artisanship but may not be exactly as depicted in the photographs.