Beadwork as a source of income

For years the Maasai practised pastoralism—livestock was their only source of income. They would rely on milk from their cows and goats as well as the sale of livestock to sustain their families’ needs. But hot and arid conditions affected the pasture land. Faced with drought and unproductive drylands, Maasai communities turned inward, to women, and looked to repurpose one of their most celebrated traditions—beadwork. The beadwork jewellery is now a popular souvenier among the tourists The jewellery style in particular has made a name for itself in the international markets, in turn benefitting and econmically empowering its makers.

Sidai Designs collaborates with Maasai women in Tanzania to create handmade contemporary jewellery and homewares. Their mission is to preserve age-old African beading tradition, work to create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities for Maasai women, and produce unique pieces that blend beading customs with a contemporary aesthetic.

In the third edition of the Wise Wall Project, we are collaborating with the culturally rich and one of the oldest communitys in the world, the Maasai community, in Arusha, Tanzania, in partnership with Vikram Solar Ltd., Vijana Inspiring Foundation, Lions Club of Dar es Salaam and Arusha City, and Google Arts and Culture. Along with building an on-ground community centre and museum for the community, we are bringing an exclusive insight into the life, lifestyle and learnings from this inspiring community.

The Wise Wall Project is an initiative of Project FUEL that aims to document, design and strengthen the wisdom of rural communities and marginalised villages using art and community outreach programmes. The arts lead the way to raise support for the challenges these villages face today like migration, quality education and access to basic amenities like water and roads.