Tugen Warrior Hairdo by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Meet the Tugen
The Tugen are a sub-community of the Kalenjin. Traditional Tugen crafts involved making decorative jewelry, as well as essential everyday items.
NecklaceNational Museums of Kenya
Jewelry
This necklace was worn and made by uncircumcised girls. It is covered with red ochre and made of twelve strings of beads. These were made from wood of the kipungeiwa tree and cowhide spacers, threaded on wild sisal thread (kilembele).
The wooden beads were cut with a knife for decoration, and the outer edge is a string of white oblong beads, each separated by four or six red beads threaded on wire.
EarringNational Museums of Kenya
This is an earring (mwanikabitik) with beads and zip fastener, stitched on cowhide all around the edge. It was made and worn by married women.
AnkletsNational Museums of Kenya
This is a pair of anklets made from Colobus monkey (Koroit) skin – one with a row of white and row of orange beads, and the other with green and orange beads at the top edge.
The monkey was caught and killed by a Morani, who then made the anklets and would have worn them particularly at dances and ceremonies. Game hunting is now illegal in Kenya.
Eating Bowl (1931)National Museums of Kenya
Utensils
Tugen men used an adze to carve out wood and make food bowls (tubei). They were useful for families who ate together and passed food around in the bowl.
HoeNational Museums of Kenya
Farming equipment
This is a hoe (mogombe), made of an iron blade fitted with a wooden haft (Gedit). The blade was made by a blacksmith, while each owner would add a suitable handle. It was used by women for digging in the fields.
Shield ShieldNational Museums of Kenya
Protecting the community
This shield was used for defence purposes during warfare. It was made from hippopotamus hide by a specialist. The hide would be cut, curved and bound with leather. It would then be buried in soil for three days until it was stiff enough to be beaten into shape with a hammer.
Explore more
Learn about the communities of Kenya
