Upon their arrival over four centuries ago, the Maasai built and economy and way of life which was deeply intertwined with their cattle herds in the Great Rift Vally of southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
Many parts of the cattle were used in trade, including their horns, to create everyday objects.
This post was hand carved in the late 20th century from one piece of wood, along with its lid.
The two pieces are attached by knotted strings of leather, the lid connected to the handles of the main body depicted as bovine horns, a nod to the Maasai’s reverence for cattle.
