Creating Maasai jewellery

One of the most integral part of Maasai beadwork are the glass beads. Introduced to the Maasai by Europeans in late-19th century, the glass beads of different colours hold a unique significance to the community. Apart from the beads, other elemnets that feature proinently in the jewellery are cowries shells, silver embellishments, and leather. The recycled thread from old grain bags is rolled to create a strong thread for beading, and pieces of recycled plastic from yogurt pots are used to hold the thread in place.

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.