One of Pair of Woman’s Ear Ornaments (Enchoni Enkiook)

These ear ornaments, the name of which translates as “cowhide of the ear,” were historically worn by a Maasai woman from the day she was initiated into adulthood until her death. Made from cowhide, glass beads, buttons, and metal wire, a typical pair consists of two pieces that have slightly different decorations and shapes. Design choices are made carefully: colors and patterns are specific to Maasai communities or even to subgroups within them. Here, the predominance of blue refers to the sky and the Maasai god Enkai.