Choosing The Right Maasai Beaded Collar For Your Pet

Who are the Maasai?
The Maasai are a tribe of East Africa found in Kenya and Tanzania. Once Warriors, they are now Nomadic Pastoralists whose prized possession is cattle (in fact they believe that their rain God "Enkai" made them sole proprietors of all cattle, so any other tribe in possession ofcattle must have stolen them from the Maasai people!). Cattle is the Maasai's main form of currency, so ensuring their safety is the most important part of any Maasai's life. Cattle provides them with milk and bloodfor nourishment, dung to build their homes (known as"Manyattas") and are often used inspiritual rituals and sacrifices to the gods.

Sunset in the Maasai Mara, picture bymad_matatu, 2001
For this reason, the tribe relies heavily on man's best friend,their dogs, to alert them to danger, should lions, hyenas or leopards approach the herd. The relationship between man and dog in this tribe is one of mutual respect, love and understanding because of the important role that dogs now play in their lives.

Adornment...
The Maasai tribe is probably most noted for their beautiful adornments. Their long bodies and slender features are usually found draped in red cloth and covered in beautiful jewelry, from necklaces, bracelets, earrings, head-dresses and anklets. Their jewelry is primarily made from glass beads, cow hide (another resource provided by their treasured cattle!), wire and any recyclable materials that the modern world has brought them in contact with (plastic bottles and tubs, copper telephone wires, tires and inner tubes...in Kenya we still use inner tube tires!)

Young Maasai girl adorned in traditional tribal jewelry. image courtesy of Father Quattrocchio, Consolata Shrine, Nairobi, Kenya.
Adornments for Pets!
Being such highly regarded members of the Maasai family, it is only fair that pets should be adorned in the same manner as their trusted owners. Authentic maasai dog collars are made from hand-tooled cow hide, either left in it's natural state or lightly stained with plant and flower extracts. Glass beads are then sewn on with sturdy nylon thread entirely by hand in a multitude of colors and patterns. Although there are many other gepanies inEast Africawho manufacture these collars themselves, original Maasai collars are much more in their natural state. They will have slightimperfections that gee with any product that is entirely hand made, which only adds to their beauty, originality and mystique! Since they are hand made no two will ever be EXACTLY the same, even if some patterns are more readily available than others... Sometimes certain color and pattern gebinations will be one of a kind so you are purchasing a truely unique item.

This is Sammy, one of my favorite customers! He is a RhodesianRidgeback and he owns 5Matatu Collars! :) He is a Champion and wears his collars both at home and at gepetitions around thecountry! Please see my Dog Collar Galleryfor more photos of fine dogs strutting in style!
Fitting your Dog with a Collar.
Because these collars are hand-made, each one must be measured separately, to ensure the perfect fit. The measurements will be as follows:


Total length of the collar: from beginning of the leatherto theend, buckle excluded.