African Shuka
The
African shuka is a dress-like cloth that warriors of the Maasai tribe
wrap around their body almost how people today would wrap themselves in
a towel. It is made with coarse and scratchy cotton that is dyed
with natural and home made dyes. By Cassie
The Maasai tribe is from eastern Africa (Kenya) and has been residing there for thousands of years. The Maasai tribe is a very traditional tribe that ignores modern ways of life, and is part of the Nilotic group of people. The Maasai are known as a very ethnic group of people, which means they have a common national and cultural tradition. Also, they are known as some of the fiercest African warriors.
The shuka was worn by the older males of the Maasai tribe. Married women would always wear blue shukas instead, to signify their marriage.
The shuka continues to be used today, and also dates back hundreds of years ago, when the tribe was first formed. The fact that the shuka has been the traditional piece of clothing for the Maasai tribe for hundreds of years reveals that:
- they are a very traditional tribe
- even though the rest of the world advances with its ideas, the Maasai tribe stays with their original traditions.
- and that they ignore the modern ways of life so they can make their own image for themselves.
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