African Culture Collection (page 8)

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

Msai warriors draw water from a deep well. The depth of wells is measured by the number of men required to bring water to the cattle troughs at the top of them

A Msai warrior blows a trumpet fashioned from the horn of a Greater Kudu. The strap is decorated with cowrie shells. Kudu-horn trumpets are only sounded to call men to arms or on ceremonial occasions

A Msai warrior, his face and body decorated with red ochre and clay, wears an ostrich feather headdress. This singular adornment was once worn by warriors going into battle

Kenya, Kajiado, lpartimaro. Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers

One of the most important Msai ceremonies is the eunoto when warriors become junior elders. Early one morning before the cattle are taken to pasture, their mothers shave their long ochred locks

Msai warriors resplendent with long ochred braids relax and wait for the start of a ceremony. Red has always been their preferred colour

Donkeys are indispensable beast of burden, assuring the nomadic Turkana of complete mobility. These study little animals carry the few essentials of life in oval panniers strapped to their flanks

A young Turkana herdsboy sneaks a drink of milk straight from a camels udder. Camels are important to stockowners in the arid regions of Turkanaland since they are browsers

A Turkana man with a fine clay hairstyle, so typical of the southern Turkana. The black ostrich feather pompoms denote that the man belongs to the ng imor (black) moiety of his tribe

Turkana elders wear decorative ivory lip ornaments, secured in position by a spigot which is inserted in a hole pierced below the mans lower lip after initiation

As the sun rises above the forested peaks of Mount Nyiru, members of a Turkana family chat and plan their days activities

In their dances, Samburu warriors take it in turns to leap high in the air from a standing position without bending their knees

Samburu warriors, spears in hand, jump into the air without bending their knees during one of their dance routines

A month after a Samburu youth has been circumcised, he becomes a warrior. He will go to the nearest stream or Waterhole to wash off a months grime

A Samburu boy in reflective mood after his circumcision. A day after the ordeal, he will hang in his pierced earlobes copper earrings normally worn by married women

A Samburu youth, his head freshly shaved, has milk poured over him from a wooden gourd-like container decorated with green grass prior to his circumcision

A Samburu warrior has his Ochred hair braided by a friend. A mixture of cows urine and ashes is often rubbed into the hair first to help straighten it

A young Samburu man leads a donkey carrying the basic structure of a temporary home. The curved sticks will be tied together in a dome and covered with hides

Women watch from the side as warriors sing and dance at a Laikipiak Msai marriage near Sabuk

Elaborate headdress and body adornments worn by Samburu moran (warrior)

Mobile safari in Kenya with Samburu moran warriors as game spotters

A Hamar woman blows a tin trumpet at a Jumping of the Bull ceremony. The Hamar are semi-nomadic pastoralists of Southwest Ethiopia whose women wear striking traditional dress

A young Dassanech boy silhouetted against the evening sky at his settlement alongside the Omo River. Much the largest of the tribes in the Omo Valley numbering around 50, 000

A Nyangatom boy catches blood from the artery of a cow in a gourd. The cow is bled by firing an arrow with a very short head into the artery of the cow

A young Dorze boy winds cotton onto a bobin for his father. Dorze men are synonymous with weaving the best cotton cloth in Ethiopia

Ponies trample corn to remove the grain in a typical rural setting outside Shashemene. Depending on the availability of animals, a farmer may use ponies, donkeys or oxen for this purpose

Donkeys trample corn to remove the grain in a typical rural setting between Ziway and Butajira. Depending on the availability of animals, a farmer may use ponies, donkeys or oxen for this purpose

A large gathering of people at Senbetes livestock market, which is an important weekly market close to the western scarp of the Abyssinian Rift

Ethiopia is a land of vast horizons and dramatic scenery. The weathered mountains in the Ethiopian Highlands exhibit layer upon layer of volcanic material

Deep in thought, an old man with Orthodox cross in hand rests outside the rock-hewn church of Abune Yemata in the Gheralta Mountains near Guh

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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.