tan hide skirt; white beading along BC and in C; blue and white striped beaded design at TC; blue and white striped beading at T PR; blue, white and red checkered pattern in beadwork at B PR and B PL

Ceremonial skirt, early 20th century

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Iraqw women’s skirts are among the most elaborately decorated garments from East Africa. In the past, Iraqw girls dressed in a plain hide cloak until they reached puberty. During their rite of passage, which lasted up to a year, they enlarged and transformed their drab garment into a colorful skirt that highlighted their new identity. Each of these ceremonial skirts is unique, the design depending on the skill of the individual maker and the resources available. In Iraqw culture, the color white has associations with light, health, well-being, and purification. It is the dominant bead color of most ceremonial skirts.

Details
Title
Ceremonial skirt
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2021.70.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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tan hide skirt; white beading along BC and in C; blue and white striped beaded design at TC; blue and white striped beading at T PR; blue, white and red checkered pattern in beadwork at B PR and B PL