Vessel

MaasaiWW-1900-139970

1900·Calabash, animal hide, and glass and plastic beads·96.6 × 11.5 × 16.6 cm (38 × 4 1/2 × 6 1/2 in.)

<p>The Maasai use locally grown calabashes, or gourds, in a variety of shapes and sizes as cups, bowls, or vessels. Pyro engravings (burnt on with an iron tool) and other incised designs are specific to a family or individual. These decorations are combined with hide straps, beads, and buttons to signal wealth and status; they also make it easier to locate one’s personal container when many are stacked together during communal events. This vessel features abstracted elephants and hoofprint designs.</p>

Catalogue

Year: 1900
Medium: Calabash, animal hide, and glass and plastic beads
Dimensions: 96.6 × 11.5 × 16.6 cm (38 × 4 1/2 × 6 1/2 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Maasai

Artist

Maasai

The Maasai are an Eastern Nilotic ethnic group native to northern, central and southern regions of Kenya including northern Tanzania, near the African Great Lakes region. Their native language is the Maasai language, a Nilotic language related to Dinka, Kalenjin and Nuer. A branch within the broader Nilo-Saharan language family. Except for some elders living in rural areas, most Maasai people speak the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania—Swahili and English.

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