Craft Without Borders — Different hands. Shared heritage. Limitless future.
Kenya ✓ Verified craft Beaded jewellery

Maasai beadwork

Glass-bead collars, bracelets and belts whose colours and patterns tell age, status and community.

Glass beadsLeather Beading

Maasai women thread tiny glass beads onto wire and leather to make collars, headdresses and bracelets. Each colour has a meaning: red for bravery, blue for the sky and water, green for the land. Beadwork marks life stages and is worn at ceremonies.

Meaning & stories

Colours and patterns are a visual language of age, status and belonging.

Every object here carries a story its maker will tell you if you ask.
— Consortium field notes
IdentityCeremonyCommunity
Join the community
Meet the artisans who keep this craft alive.
Meet them
Have knowledge to share?
Add a story, a technique or a video to this craft.
Contribute