Description
Like other nomadic pastoralist groups in eastern Africa, the Turkana place a high value on costumes and adornments. These art forms are designed to convey one’s identity, social position, and family status. The upside-down U-shaped decorations at the lower edge of this apron were part of a design trend, indicating that a fashionable married woman wore it. Specific colors of beads arranged in particular patterns might also indicate details about the woman’s new husband’s village, family history, or status.
Provenance
Accession Number
129157
Medium
Animal hide and beads
Dimensions
Width at widest point 22". Width at top of object 16": 175.3 × 55.9 × 0.7 cm (69 × 22 × 1/4 in.); on plexi armature: 81.3 × 43.2 × 25.4 cm (32 × 17 × 10 in.)
Classification
leather/animal skin
Credit Line
Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago