Friday, February 20, 2009

Show & Tell Friday!

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewellery, or a treasured collection. Look around your closet if you have to share! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item. To find some more interesting “Show and Tell” stories, visit http://www.kellishouse.blogspot.com/
Thank you to Judith for introducing me to this idea! You have no idea the pleasure I get thinking about which of my special things I can share with everyone!

The Masai are a very famous warrior tribe in Kenya. Their lives center around herding cattle. The image most people have of the Masai warrior is that of a tall, lean, dark man with a spear in one hand and his red cloth wrapped around his waist or draped over his shoulders. These wraps are called “kikoi” and are usually red in colour – this stands for power!

My sister-in-law, Nichola, is a missionary with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). She went to Tanzania to teach and spent some weeks living in Arusha. She said the countryside was dotted with specks of red – the Masai in the colourful cloth. They were fascinating and so beautiful! While she was there, she brought us an original “kikoi”. It’s the same as the ones worn by the Masai warriors in the picture above.
Our Kikoi draped over a rocking chair

A close up of the pattern
WHAT!  A Masai warrior in my house - NEVER!
It’s really unusual and very special! (And oh so warm and snugly!)

20 comments:

Marcelle said...

Hello - very interesting blog entry.
I have read a book called The White Masai - its about a German woman who falls in love with one of the Masai's and falls pregnant, but runs away in the end...she lives in Germany now and has returned once to show the father his daughter who was by then 15 - I found her book so interesting, bought it in CT at Wordsworth...

Janet said...

You know, I read an article about that book in the Fair Lady. I would like to read it! Definitely on my next book club list! Thanks!

Judith said...

what a fabulous post Janet especially as I'm really intrigued by the Masai people and what a beautiful cloth and, of course, how fortunate for you to have a real live Masai warrior living with you to model the cloth!!!! lol Nigel bought two beautiful Masai figurines and I treasure them. I, too, must look out for the book Marcelle recommended. take care, Judith

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I'm kind of jealous. I like all kinds of unusual things iand this truely is one. I'm wondering about that last photo. What are the two of you up to ...

Hootin Anni said...

Fantastic!!!! Thank you for the extra history of the tribe too...what a wonderful treasure in your home.

My show n tell this week is the final showing of my troll doll collection, from the tiniest to the 'oldest' couple. Do stop by if you can....and, have a great weekend.

Pam said...

How neat!

Have a great weekend,
Pam

SmilingSally said...

How wonderful to have a missionary in the family. I'm sure you pray for her daily. Thanks for sharing. Happy Show and Tell Friday.

Karen Sherrill said...

LOL...my husband would never have modeled for me!!!

Karen

JudyBug said...

What an interesting post. How did you manage to convince your hubby to pose? Mr. Dumpling would have had me committed for even asking!

JudyBug

Alice said...

Beautiful colors! Interesting background info, too. What an neat thing for you to have. Thanks for sharing it with us. I've enjoyed reading all your comments about this post also - lol.

There is always a place for you at The Shadow of the Cross. Feel free to visit anytime.

Lois Christensen said...

Love your warrior!! My friend is also a missionary with the same group. She's in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing!

Carla said...

LOL! I love this fabric! Thank you for sharing today:)

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Again, something I had no idea about. Thanks for another tidbit of information!

Belinda said...

The kikoi is lovely, and what a wonderful *souvenir* from your sister's missionary trip. My goodness, she even managed to sneak in a warrior too, lol! Thanks for sharing such an interesting Show and Tell today. :-)

Susie Homemaker said...

Thank you for sharing this with us today...

Blessings,
Susie

Kathy said...

What an interesting show and tell, Janet. I really enjoyed reading about the Masai and the red cloth. Thanks for sharing!
Kathy

Anonymous said...

That is so interesting .. and what a treasure to have! Hubby P - a very willing model too! Oh so you say they are warm - how do they feel in the hot summer then. I suppose because they are made of natural fibres they should be cool in summer.

Anonymous said...

Oops - put the URL in the wrong box!

Lisa Cobler said...

Very intresting post. I love things with a story behind them.

www.dmitrimarkine.com said...

Please either attribute the image with: Photo by Dmitri Markine www.dmitrimarkine.com or delete it.
Artwork theft is a punishable offence

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jaVouzS_wcw/SZ5EfKL6sfI/AAAAAAAAAoM/m9aHKvSv2Yc/s1600-h/Masai+Warriors.jpg