African Culture Collection (page 7)

Msai - old and new
Old and new. Dressed traditionally and carrying familiar wooden staff, two young men give hints that the lifestyle of younger Msai generations is changing gradually in Tanzania

Young Datoga man in a well
A young Datoga man helps to draw water for his familys livestock from a well on the east side of Lake Manyara. All young men wear strings of twisted yellow and light blue beads round their waists

A young Datoga boy
A young boy of the Datoga tribe crosses the plains east of Lake Manyara in Northern Tanzania. The Manyara escarpment (a western boundary wall of the Gregory Rift) is visible in the distance

Eateries operate from dusk until late at the Djemaa el Fnaa

A nomad sits in the desert and talks on his mobile phone. It should be noted that it is not always possible to recieve a signal

Old Religious Temple in Chinguetti

Mauritania, Brakna, Desert Guide

A Bara woman works in her paddy fields close to the Isalo National Park. Rice is the staple food of the Malagasy people. She has put on her face a paste made from the powdered seeds

A brightly-painted shop near the entrance to Isalo National Park at Ranohira. The innovative tailors dummies depicting lemurs attract park visitors to the shop

Fishermen launch their boat into the Atlantic Ocean at sunset

The architecture of the seaside town of Swakopmund on Namibias windswept Atlantic coast is distinctly Teutonic, reflecting the countrys colonial past as the Protectorate of German South-West Africa

A Himba mother and baby son relax outside their dome-shaped home. Their bodies gleam from a mixture of red ochre, butterfat and herbs

An innovative roadside craft stall owned by an Herero man near Twyfelfontein

An Herero man and two women ride home in a donkey cart. The elaborate dresses and unique hat styles of Herero women can be traced back to 19th century German missionaries who took exception to what

!Kung hunter-gatherers pause to check a distant wild animal in the early morning. The !Kung are a part of the San of Southern Africa who are often referred to as Bushmen

Two young Samburu girls help each other preparing for a celebration, Wamba District, Kenya Two young Samburu girls help each other preparing for a Kenya, Wamba District

An Mtaita musician. His glasses are made from the tips of calabashes. His ear ornaments are also made of calabashes or gourds

A Lamu man strings the back of a traditional Lamu-style chair embellished with marquetry. Situated 150 miles north-northeast of Mombasa, Lamu town dates from the 15th century AD

A Lamu woman demonstrates the use of the shiraa, a tent-like cloth held up with two sticks, which obscured the face and body of a woman when she ventured outside her home one hundred years ago

A skilled craftsman puts the finishes touches to a replica of a Pate Island chair. Wood carving is the most important craft in Lamu and sustains the greatest number of artisans

One of the narrow shopping streets in Lamu town. Situated 150 miles north-northeast of Mombasa, Lamu town dates from the 15th century AD

A Pate farmer tends his tobacco crop among the coral ruins of old Pate town. His Arabian origins are unmistakable. Pate was established by Arabs from Arabia in the 13th century, or possibly earlier

The exposed barnacle-encrusted roots of mangrove trees, which line the tidal inlet to the historic town of Faza on Pate Island

A woman makes makuti, a thatch from dried fronds of coconut palms, outside her home in Faza village. The chequered history of Faza dates back several hundred years

A proud Samburu mother of two recently circumcised boys wears briefly their bird skin headdresses round her neck after they discard them during the lmuget loolbaa ceremony (the ceremony of the arrows)

A young Samburu boy sucks marrow straight from the leg bone of a cow. Marrow is a much sought-after delicacy. During every Samburu ceremony

Samburu initiates sing during the month after their circumcision. As their wounds heal, their dances become more energetic

A Samburu initiate with bird skins hanging from his headband. While their wounds heal for a month after circumcision, initiates spend their time wandering in the countryside attempting to kill as

A Samburu initiate takes aim at a bird with a blunt arrow. While their wounds heal for a month after circumcision, initiates spend their time wandering in the countryside attempting to kill as many

A Samburu mother shaves her sons head outside her home the day before he is circumcised. Round her neck hangs his nchipi - the distinctive decoration of every boy who participates in the circumcision

Mothers rub animal fat into their sons cloaks to make them supple. This task is performed shortly before the boys set out on an arduous journey to collect sticks, staves and gum to make bows

A Samburu youth is forcibly restrained after throwing a fit in the tension-filled days leading up to his circumcision. It is not uncommon for Samburu youths and warriors to succumb to hysterical

Up to a year before his circumcision, a Samburu boy will style his hair in a distinctive pudding bowl shape and often rub charcoal and fat into it

An unfinished mobile phone kiosk is carried on a mkokoteni, a hand-drawn wooden cart. Hand-drawn carts are widely used in Kenya for the transportation of goods within small market towns and centres

A Turkana woman sitting in the doorway of her hut. Her heavy mporro braided necklace identifies her as a married woman. Typical of her tribe

Camels belonging to the Gabbra are loaded with water carriers and attached together in a camel train approach at a water hole on the edge of the Chalbi Desert

Gabbra tribesmen lead their camel train across the Chalbi Desert. The Gabbra are a Cushitic tribe of nomadic pastoralists living with their herds of camels

A Msai warrior speaks on his mobile phone from the saddle of his camel near Lake Magadi in Kenyas Rift Valley Province. Mobile phones are a popular method of communicating with family

Msai men lead a camel caravan laden with equipment for a fly camp (a small temporary camp) past Lake Magadi. Clouds hang low over the Nguruman Escarpment (a western wall of the Great Rift Valley)

Gabbra women sing and dance to celebrate a wedding. The traditional metal ornamentation on their heads is called malmal

A large gathering of Msai warriors, resplendent with long Ochred braids, listen to instructions from their chiefs and elders during a ceremony

A group of Msai warriors, resplendent with long Ochred braids, chat outside their traditional houses. These squat houses with rounded corners have roofs plastered with a mixture of soil and cow dung

Two Samburu warriors resplendent with long Ochred braids and beaded ornaments relax in typical pose beside a river bank

Women of the nomadic Gabbra tribe prepare to move their familys possessions by camel. The long sticks are the structures for their dome-shaped houses

A Pokot warrior with a traditional blue clay hairstyle tends his camels in a lugga (seasonal watercourse) while waiting his turn to water them from a deep well

Lake Baringo, one of only two freshwater lakes of the Eastern Rift, lies in a shallow basin surrounded by hills where poor agricultural practices have led to bad soil erosion

Brightly painted fishing boats of the Luo people find safe harbour on Lake Victoria at Dunga Beach near Kisumu. The fishermen catch tilapia

A young Galla herdsboy with his familys cattle outside their homestead

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"Exploring the Rich Tapestry of African Culture" Immerse yourself in the vibrant world as you wander through Aswan Souq, where various African masks are proudly displayed for sale. These intricate works of art offer a glimpse into the diverse traditions and beliefs that have shaped this ancient land. Escape to Neekreen near Buchanan, Liberia, and be captivated by the beauty of its pristine beach. Here, nature's splendor meets West Africa's enchanting coastline, inviting you to soak up the sun while embracing the rhythms of this captivating region. Trace history's footsteps with a lithograph city map of Alexandria from 1897. This fascinating artifact transports us back in time, reminding us of Egypt's rich heritage and its pivotal role as a cultural crossroads between Africa and beyond. Witness an awe-inspiring fresco at Keur Moussa Abbey Church in Senegal. Painted by Dom Georges Saget in 1963, it depicts the Presentation of Baby Jesus at the Temple—a testament to both African artistic talent and religious devotion. Engage in traditional pastimes like Kalah (Kalahari) or Mancala with locals in Moroni. This strategic game is deeply rooted in African heritage and offers a chance to connect with communities who cherish their customs passed down through generations. Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure across Masai Mara Game Reserve's golden plains against a backdrop of endless blue skies adorned with fluffy clouds. The vastness of this African savanna will leave you humbled by nature's grandeur. Marvel at digital illustrations showcasing Marabou Storks—majestic birds known for their pink gular sacks—intricately designed by talented artists who celebrate Africa’s unique wildlife diversity. Visit Nairobi National Park’s David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and witness heartwarming scenes as juvenile elephants roam freely under Kenya’s protective care. This sanctuary serves as a symbol not only of African conservation efforts but also the deep bond between humans and wildlife.