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Samburu initiates sing during the month after their circumcision. As their wounds heal, their dances become more energetic
Kenya, South Horr, Kurungu. A Samburu youth after his circumcision. The day after he has been circumcised, the initiate must hang in his pierced earlobes copper ear ornaments that are normally worn
In the weeks leading up to their circumcision, Samburu boys gather frequently to sing the lebarta, a circumcision song with a slow, haunting melody whose words are ad-libbed to suit the occasion
Laikipiak Msai
Kenya, Kajiado, lpartimaro. Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers
Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headdress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers
During an eunoto ceremony when Msai warriors become junior elders, their heads are shaved and they daub themselves with white clay
In their dances, Samburu warriors take it in turns to leap high in the air from a standing position without bending their knees
Samburu warriors, spears in hand, jump into the air without bending their knees during one of their dance routines
A Samburu boy in reflective mood after his circumcision. A day after the ordeal, he will hang in his pierced earlobes copper earrings normally worn by married women
A Samburu youth, his head freshly shaved, has milk poured over him from a wooden gourd-like container decorated with green grass prior to his circumcision
A Borana man at Mega in southern Ethiopia wears a phallic Kallaacha on his forehead. Made of cast aluminium and ivory or bone
A Dassanech man in full tribal regalia participates in a dance during a month-long ceremony. He wears a cheetah skin draped on his backs and a black ostrich-feather headdress
Ceremonial purification rite at the Adashino-nembutsu-ji, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
Msai youth with decorated faceBlack clothing and the intricate white patterns on the face of this Msai youth of the Kisongo section signify his recent circumcision
A Samburu initiate with bird skins hanging from his headband. While their wounds heal for a month after circumcision, initiates spend their time wandering in the countryside attempting to kill as
A Samburu initiate takes aim at a bird with a blunt arrow. While their wounds heal for a month after circumcision, initiates spend their time wandering in the countryside attempting to kill as many
A Samburu youth is forcibly restrained after throwing a fit in the tension-filled days leading up to his circumcision. It is not uncommon for Samburu youths and warriors to succumb to hysterical
Gabbra women sing and dance to celebrate a wedding. The traditional metal ornamentation on their heads is called malmal
A Pokomo drummer from the Tana River district of Kenya
One of the most important Msai ceremonies is the eunoto when warriors become junior elders. Early one morning before the cattle are taken to pasture, their mothers shave their long ochred locks
