Somali Girl by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Meet the Somali
The Somali community migrated to Kenya from the Horn of Africa. They were traditionally known for their male craft specialists, who made attractive artefacts and objects useful for their daily lives. The women, meanwhile, weaved baskets, food trays and mats.
Pendant (1968)National Museums of Kenya
Mavasa is an oval pendant. It was made by melting down and beating out an old splay cooking pot, then decorating it with an incised pattern, worked with a small splay ended awl. It was made by a male craftsman and worn by women attached to their necklaces.
SpoonNational Museums of Kenya
These wooden spoons were carved by men and used for eating.
CombNational Museums of Kenya
A decorated comb made by men from wood of the Hagar tree. It was used by women to comb their hair.
StoolNational Museums of Kenya
This low stool with two legs was used by everyone. However, women traditionally used low stools, while men used the higher ones. All men in the community knew how to carve the stools, but some specialized in the skill. Usually one or two men would make them in each homestead, using the hagar wood.
BasketNational Museums of Kenya
This is a half-done basket, woven using an awl. The material used is from wild sisal (sansavieria), which has been cut. A hole would then have been dug in the ground, and something burned inside it to dry the sisal.
The sisal leaves would then be buried in the hole for three to four weeks, after which they are ready for use. Before a Somali girl married, she had to prepare such baskets for her own home.
SwordNational Museums of Kenya
This sword was made from scrap metal by a blacksmith, and used by men as a weapon for defense, and for cutting meat.
Necklace (1962)National Museums of Kenya
This necklace was made by women from large colored ivory beads attached to two charms. The charms were made from horse skin, inside which was placed a letter from the Sheikh.
A sick person would have his sickness diagnosed by the Sheikh, who had referred to the Quran, and the pocketw would then be prepared. These charms were used to prevent all types of sicknesses and diseases.
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