Waist Belt

Arts of Africa

20th century

Maasai
Kenya or Tanzania
Eastern and Southern Africa

This beaded object relates to morans, the warriors of Maasai society. These men are trained and initiated into a group that guards the community and traditional customs as well as cattle. A moran would have worn these as part of his colorful daily dress. The heavy use of white beads offers protection from the evil eye and other negative outside influences.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Arts of Africa

Artist: Maasai
Title: Waist Belt
Place: Kenya (Object made in:)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1900–1999
Medium: Animal hide, metal, and glass beads
Dimensions: with leather strap: 19.7 × 76.9 × 1.3 cm (7 3/4 × 30 1/4 × 1/2 in.)
Credit Line: Gift of the Michael R. Mack Collection
Reference Number: 2024.370

African Tribal Art Gallery De Ruijter–Van Santen, the Netherlands; sold to Michael R. Mack, Atlanta, 2015; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2024.

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Suggested Terms

Currently Off View

Date:

Artist:

About this artwork

Status

Department

Artist

Title

Place

Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Medium

Dimensions

Credit Line

Reference Number

Extended information about this artwork

Provenance

Share

Explore Further

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Gallery actions

Image actions

Share