October - 2019

58 / HERITAGE / Maasai Shuka
HERITAGE / 59
“The men’s shuka
is usually deep red
because...that
colour is associated
with masculinity”
associated with masculinity. “Red is a
special colour for men because the tribe
traditionally created the colour for their
shields by mixing clay with red fruit sap
or cattle blood,” says Ole Turana. “And
the men colour their hair red with clay
and red ochre. Red is the colour of
blood. That explains why Maasai warriors
– known as moran – mostly wear
the deep-red shuka. Women may also
wear the shuka in red – there are no
restrictions – but they tend to avoid it.”
To the Maasai, the shuka is a unisex
item of everyday wear, worn by all ages.
For the average Maasai, wearing it is a
straightforward affair. “It’s simply slung
over one shoulder in a knot,” adds Ole
Turana. “A second shuka is strapped over
the other shoulder, with one crossing
over the other.”
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
“A woman getting married may get
a shuka as a present from the groom,
often through an elder who presents the
bride,” says Ole Tialolo. “If you’re a
young man about to marry my daughter,
you may present me with a shuka, along
with the cows issued as part of the dowry.
Often, the bride may have to supply a
number of shukas to the bridal party.
The shuka has also been exchanged as a
sign of peace.”
“Many organisations are exploiting
the shuka,” says Ole Tialolo. “We would
wish that such organisations would
consult the owners – the Maasai people
– before using the garment for profit or
other purposes. Anyone can reach the
community through us.”
“We would wish that organisations
would consult the Maasai people
before using the garment for profit”
The Life Traveller
Origins of an icon
The shuka’s origins go back to
the late 1800s, when the Maasai
traded animal skins in East Africa
with merchants from the Indian
subcontinent. The Maasai would hunt
lions and leopards, and trade the
animal skins for cowrie shells and salt.
Before the shuka, and inspired by
the Indians’ use of the garment, the
Maasai would wear clothes made
from animal skins. By switching them
for the shuka, the Maasai landed on
a sartorial gem that has arguably
become one of East Africa’s most
prominent cultural icons. The shuka
is now deeply entrenched in Maasai
culture.
Dreamstime
Mirjam Bleeker