"A warrior (olmurrani) is the embodiment of beauty for the Maasai (Masai). Important ornaments of warriorhood are the blue belt, sword belt, fringe belt, ilmintoni (double ear fobs) or esakankar (single ear fobs) and the enkila narok (cape). Depending on the style of an age set other ornaments may also be important for the warriors. among Ilkipali, enkeene emunt (loose neck band) and olkatarr oolopon (choker) were important. Warriors are expected to spend a great deal of time and attention tending to their appearance, primping and swaggering. They spend many hours in small group doing each other's hair and organizing their ornament assemblages." [Klumpp, D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society: Age and Sex, Time and Space, cash and Cattle. U.M.I. Dissertation information Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 36
D 4 MSI 4.4 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 23.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 4.4 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"A warrior (olmurrani) is the embodiment of beauty for the Maasai (Masai). Important ornaments of warriorhood are the blue belt, sword belt, fringe belt, ilmintoni (double ear fobs) or esakankar (single ear fobs) and the enkila narok (cape). Depending on the style of an age set other ornaments may also be important for the warriors. among Ilkipali, enkeene emunt (loose neck band) and olkatarr oolopon (choker) were important. Warriors are expected to spend a great deal of time and attention tending to their appearance, primping and swaggering. They spend many hours in small group doing each other's hair and organizing their ornament assemblages." [Klumpp, D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society: Age and Sex, Time and Space, cash and Cattle. U.M.I. Dissertation information Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 4.5 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 31.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 4.5 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 5 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 28.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 5 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 5.1 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 26.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 5.1 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 6 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Slide No. D 4 MSI 6 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 6.1 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 12.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 6.1 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 6.2 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 19.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 6.2 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 6.3 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 18.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 6.3 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 8 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 5.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 8 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 8.2 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 3.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 8.2 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 8.3 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Series Reference: 8.3.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 8.3 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 9 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Selgem EE11912300
Frame value is 22.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 9 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 12
D 4 MSI 9.3 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 24.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 9.3 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"Elders wear very few ornaments and these are usually of styles belonging to their own warrior set and are thus out of date. Elderhood is symbolized by the flywhisk, club and snuff container. Elders who dress traditionally wear blankets with our without shukas, double or single ear fobs, often one kind in each ear, wrapped bangles, neckrings, charm necklaces and small bells." [Klumpp, D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society: Age and Sex, Time and Space, cash and Cattle. U.M.I. Dissertation information Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
57938 29
D 4 MSI 11.2 EEE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 2.
Slide No. D 4 MSI 11.2 EEE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
The photograph depicts Tuareg woman wearing traditional long dark cloth and man wearing turban and face veil (tagelmust) made of indigo-dyed cloth. "While men's face veiling and women's headscarves fulfill Islamic requirements of modesty, they are also symbols of the Tuareg cultural value of reserve. These headdresses are directly linked to concepts of the person and to changes in an individual's status throughout his or her life (Rasmussen 1992: 101)." [Arnoldi M., 1995: Wrapping the Head, Crowning Achievements, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History]. During his trip to Mali, Elisofon visited the Kel Tademekket confederation of Tuareg people located in the Tombouctou region. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
F 1 TRG 5 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 44
Frame value is 26.
Slide No. F 1 TRG 5 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"In African towns and cities, professional hairstylists and barbers often advertise and attract their clientele by commissioning painted signs displaying current fashions. Next to the painted signs, they may also present options for their customers through assemblages of images drawn from various national and international magazines." [Arnoldi M.J., 1995: Crowning Glories: The Head and Hair; Crowning Achievements. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
I 2 NIG 4 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
58482 94
Frame value is 3.
Slide No. I 2 NIG 4 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"In African towns and cities, professional hairstylists and barbers often advertise and attract their clientele by commissioning painted signs displaying current fashions. Next to the painted signs, they may also present options for their customers through assemblages of images drawn from various national and international magazines." [Arnoldi M.J., 1995: Crowning Glories: The Head and Hair; Crowning Achievements. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
I 2 NIG 5 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
58482 94
Frame value is 4.
Slide No. I 2 NIG 5 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"In African towns and cities, professional hairstylists and barbers often advertise and attract their clientele by commissioning painted signs displaying current fashions. Next to the painted signs, they may also present options for their customers through assemblages of images drawn from various national and international magazines." [Arnoldi M.J., 1995: Crowning Glories: The Head and Hair; Crowning Achievements. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
I 2 NIG 6 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
58482 94
Frame value is 5.
Slide No. I 2 NIG 6 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"At about the age of 7 Maasai (Masai) girls and boys diverge sharply in the wearing of ornaments. By the age of twelve, girls, who have been learning to make their own ornaments, begin to accumulate their wedding trousseau either by making the ornaments from scratch, recycling the ornaments of older sisters or by receiving hand me downs. Girls ears are pierced on top at about the age of four. The lobes of girls are stretched out at about ten to the time when breasts starts to appear, age twelve, and wooden earplugs are inserted to prepare the ears for beaded wrappings and also inkonito onkiyiaa (ear flaps), the leather ear flap that can only be worn after marriage. Girls pass boys in life development because they marry earlier, so the relative timing of boys' and girls' ear modification may vary. Boys have the uppers done at about 6. Their lower ears are stretched when they ask for it between ages 10 and 14. Girls by about twelve may make ornaments for their brothers or other male relatives but not their fathers." [Klumpp D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society:Age and Sex, Time and Space, Cash and Cattle. U.M.I Dissertation Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
A 4 MSI 1.1 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Frame value is 0.
Slide No. A 4 MSI 1.1 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
"A warrior (olmurrani) is the embodiment of beauty for the Maasai (Masai). Important ornaments of warriorhood are the blue belt, sword belt, fringe belt, ilmintoni (double ear fobs) or esakankar (single ear fobs) and the enkila narok (cape). Depending on the style of an age set other ornaments may also be important for the warriors. among Ilkipali, enkeene emunt (loose neck band) and olkatarr oolopon (choker) were important. Warriors are expected to spend a great deal of time and attention tending to their appearance, primping and swaggering. They spend many hours in small group doing each other's hair and organizing their ornament assemblages." [Klumpp, D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society: Age and Sex, Time and Space, cash and Cattle. U.M.I. Dissertation information Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
A 4 MSI 1.2 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Time Life No. 57938 36
Frame value is 15.
Slide No. A 4 MSI 1.2 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
