Maasai Ceremonial Reed Rattle Kayamba

Maasai people, early 20th century, Kenya or Tanzania, East Africa

Beautiful aged traditional reed shaken rattle kayamba. Maasai are an indigenous ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The pastoral Maasai are fully nomadic, wandering in bands throughout the year and subsisting almost entirely on the meat, blood and milk of their herds. The measure of a man's wealth is in terms of cattle and children. The monotheistic Maasai worship a supreme being and creator known as Enkai and serves as the guardian over rain, fertility, love and the sun. Enkai has a dual nature: Enkai Narok (Black God) is benevolent, and Enkai Na-nyokie (Red God) is vengeful. It was Enkai who gave cattle to the Maasai people. There are also minor deities like Neiterkob, the mediator between God and men. Goddess of the Moon (Olapa) is married to Enkai.

Across the East Africa, the kayamba is a popular and typical form of shaken rattle. Played by women it is made from dried reeds of grass lashed together into rafts. Two rafts are fastened tightly together and separated only by wooden walls, to form a shallow box. Rattling material, like bone pieces, seeds or small pebbles are closed inside. The kayamba is held in both hands and shaken side to side to produce a soft rattling sound. Good condition. Age-related wear and signs of heavy use. Beautiful black encrusted patina. Minor cracks and fractures. Size approx. 31,0cm x 27,0cm x 5,0cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection