Njemps Fashions and Craftsmanship
Discover the clothing, jewelry, and ornaments made and worn by the Njemps community
Njemps Young Married Woman by Joy AdamsonNational Museums of Kenya
Meet the Njemps
The Njemps share many cultural traits with other Maa-speaking communities, especially in their mode of dressing. They make clothes and ornaments from leather, beads, brass and copper. Different clothes and ornaments are worn to indicate status among members of the community.
Ear PlugNational Museums of Kenya
Children's ear plugs
These wooden earplugs (sura), with holes at the centre, are made from Labusekeil wood. They were made and worn on the earlobes by young boys and girls. At the age of six (Libatin Awari), the earlobes were cut and the plugs inserted.
earringsNational Museums of Kenya
Colorful beadwork
A pair of bead earrings (oIchonyi onkiya) sewn on leather and worn on each earlobe by married women.
EarringNational Museums of Kenya
Copper earrings
These copper earrings were made by a blacksmith.
earringsNational Museums of Kenya
Men's earrings
This is an earring made from copper wire, coiled over an iron rod. It would have been worn by old men as an ornament.
SkirtNational Museums of Kenya
Beaded skirt
This kind of skirt (Olekesena) was made from goat skin (or cowhide), decorated with beads. Women would scrape off the hair from the goat skin and make it supple by rubbing sheep fat mixed with red ochre. Then colorful beads would be sown on. It was worn by women.
Pair SandalsNational Museums of Kenya
Sandals
This is a cowhide sandal (nkamuka) that has a double sole and coil of cowhide on the straps for decoration. These were made by men and worn by everybody.
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