Craft-core: The Maasai Edition

These beaded pieces inspired by the Maasai tribe make for the perfect addition to your jewellery collection

Images: Lore, Thomson Safaris

While the dopamine-inducing Y2K aesthetic came and conquered with its share of beaded strings, the jury’s still pretty divided on whether the trend held much merit or was quite simply tailored to gen-Z’s ‘too cool for school’ state of mind. That being said, beaded jewellery has always been top of mind when we’re looking for a fun, colourful way to amp up an outfit. 

For a more grown-up take on the trend, we find ourselves endlessly inspired by the Maasai tribe’s beads. Maasai beadwork is an art form that has been practised as a central part of their cultural heritage by the Maasai people of East Africa. It is characterised by vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and symbolic meanings.

The beads used in Maasai beadwork are typically made of glass and are imported from Europe and Asia. One of the most iconic forms of Maasai beadwork is the beaded collar, also known as a “tradition” or “oran.” The patterns often have symbolic meanings, representing things like animals, plants, or important events in Maasai history.

One of the reasons that Maasai beadwork has become so popular in recent years is its versatility. The vibrant colours and intricate patterns can be incorporated into a wide range of fashion styles, from bohemian to modern minimalist. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite interpretations of this style of beadwork, just in time for summer!

Nori, ₹6,300, Studio Loveletter

Link: https://www.studioloveletter.com/collections/necklaces/products/nori?variant=41285305532580 

Sirius Bead Earrings, ₹1,600, Diaries of Nomad

Link:https://www.diariesofnomad.com/products/sirius-bead-earrings#MTJ-ER-00271 

Hapur Flower Beadwork Bangles by Aagaz (Set of 6), ₹450, iTokri

Link:https://www.itokri.com/products/2022-557-1-1-hapur-flower-beadwork-bangles-by-aagazset-of-6?variant=42128982638787&currency=INR&Network=x&Placement=&Keyword=&Campaign=&gclid=CjwKCAjwov6hBhBsEiwAvrvN6EO3JI_2ydTbFMo1ZhUvcN9YEA-qMX7vYpDcIxIb1_7a5y_ylmWrBBoC03MQAvD_BwE 

Lavender Twist Beaded Necklace, ₹800, Okhai

Link: https://okhai.org/products/lavender-twist-beaded-necklace 

Drew Beaded Earrings, ₹4,295, Fossil

Link:https://www.fossil.com/en-in/products/drew-beaded-earrings/FCU0453998.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwov6hBhBsEiwAvrvN6L6x2z_GO4anrWRJXE9p3UFV5k42t7rdhC3pORUqQucOZV4kYSwIghoCus8QAvD_BwE 

Prashast Glass Beads Necklace, ₹675, Amala Earth

Link:https://amala.earth/products/prashast-glass-beads-necklace-multi-layered-black-p-ac-63-30922?utm_source=Google_ads&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=19888663827–148882556633&utm_content=652623519089&utm_term=–&utm_id=19888663827–148882556633–652623519089–c–g——&gclid=CjwKCAjwov6hBhBsEiwAvrvN6LpL64sPoOeniDXxB5dFK6HzQ2IELFGa2StofpXkA4oySCKJjHrp1RoCd-sQAvD_BwE 

Embroidered Flower Motif Zia Earringss, ₹2,500, Zwende

Link:https://www.zwende.com/collections/earrings/products/embroidered-flower-motif-zia-earrings 

Multi Bead & Pearl Anklet, ₹945, Accessorize London

Link:https://accessorizelondon.in/collections/bracelets/products/accessorize-london-womens-multi-bead-pearl-anklet?variant=44437924348186