African Custom Collection

An old Kikuyu lady picks coffee Taken in the 1960 s, this photograph depicts a traditional form of dress and ear ornaments among Kikuyu women, which has completely disappeared

A Samburu warrior resplendent with long, braided, Ochred hair. The round ear ornaments of the warriors are fashioned from ivory

Kenya, South Horr, Kurungu. A Samburu youth after his circumcision. The day after he has been circumcised, the initiate must hang in his pierced earlobes copper ear ornaments that are normally worn

Dressed in his black goatskin cloak, a Samburu boy puts his bundle of sticks, staves and gum on the roof of his mothers house

In the weeks leading up to their circumcision, Samburu boys gather frequently to sing the lebarta, a circumcision song with a slow, haunting melody whose words are ad-libbed to suit the occasion

A Borana man at Mega in southern Ethiopia wears a phallic Kallaacha on his forehead. Made of cast aluminium and ivory or bone

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

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 Dassanech man in full tribal regalia participates in a dance during a month-long ceremony. He wears a cheetah skin draped on his backs and a black ostrich-feather headdress

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"A Glimpse into African Customs: Preserving Traditions and Celebrating Heritage" In the heart of Kenya, amidst the vibrant landscapes of South Horr, Kurungu, lies a tapestry woven with rich African customs. Journey back to the 1960s, where time stood still and traditions thrived. An old Kikuyu lady gracefully bends down among lush coffee plantations, her weathered hands delicately picking each bean. This timeless scene captures the essence of generations past, where cultivation was not just a livelihood but an art passed down from one hand to another. Across the vast plains stands a Samburu warrior adorned in resplendent glory. His long braided hair cascades like ochred rivers as he proudly dons his black goatskin cloak. In these weeks leading up to their sacred circumcision ritual, these warriors embody strength and honor that echoes through centuries. Amidst this cultural tapestry emerges a Samburu woman wearing an exquisite mporro necklace. Each bead tells stories of resilience and beauty; it is a symbol of identity deeply rooted in ancestral heritage—a testament to the enduring spirit of Africa's tribes. A proud Samburu mother gazes upon her two recently circumcised sons with love etched on her face. Through this rite of passage, they have embraced adulthood while honoring their ancestors' wisdom—a bond that unites them all as guardians of tradition. Innocence intertwines with ancient rituals as a young Samburu boy relishes in sucking marrow straight from a cow's leg bone—an act both nourishing and symbolic—connecting him to his people's sustenance and reminding him never to forget his roots. Harmonious chants fill the air during the month following their circumcision—the initiates sing songs that echo across time itself—a chorus celebrating brotherhood forged through shared experiences—a melody resonating deep within their souls.