The culture of the Maasai Community has contributed largely to the impeccable growth of Kenya’s Tourism Industry. This ethnic group has taken it upon itself to preserve the conservancies and the wildlife in them. The Maasai have also seen to the growth and the export of their traditional attire, prominent among them the Maasai sandals.
They indeed grace the streets of Nairobi especially in the summer. Ladies use them to complete the bright look that is often accompanied by African dresses with large prints of flowers and other patterns. They are worn casually by individuals of both genders and children when taking strolls about town, when out on shopping sprees and during the weekends when the mood is light.
Much like its country of origin, the Maasai sandal is extremely diversified in its design. The Malindi sandal, for instance, has beautiful meticulous etching around its edges and it provides utmost comfort. The beaded sandal, on the other hand, differs from the rest what with the amazing beadwork that adorns its face.
After precision in cutting and skill in piecing the sandal together, turquoise, sapphire stones, silver petals and other gorgeous materials are added for the purpose of beautification. A third type of sandal is existent- it is specifically referred to as the leather sandal by some. The point of contrast when it comes to this piece is its very soft, almost fluffy, padding that provides extra comfort.
The soles of these sandals can be crafted from the skin off cows, leather or tough rubber. Sandals with leather soles are mostly thin and very light. Those with rubber soles, in addition, provide anyone interested in a unique buy with the choice of either a thin or a thick sole. What’s more, all of these factors held constant, the Maasai sandal is water proof, guaranteeing long lasting usage.
The Maasai sandal is perhaps the boldest spectacle of Maasai royalty. This is because of the beads- back in the day they adorned leaders of the Maasai community only, for their recognition as the heads. They did not wear them while taking evening strolls, on beaches or anything of the sort but just like them, this simple footwear can cause a stir at the Amboseli National Park during a picnic, at the Maasai Mara National Reserve while viewing wild game and at the Finch Hattons Camp and others in its category.
Even more amazing is the fact that the Maasai sandal is an original Kenyan piece. In the past it was mostly a concept conjured by the Maasai woman. As time lapsed, though, the Maasai natives with the skill decided to share the knowledge of the creation of this masterpiece with the rest of the world. With this came the discovery that beads from the Czech Republic were of better quality and were the more original compared to those that the Maasai handmade by crashing seeds and using glass.
Today the Maasai sandal is both part of modern trade in fashion and part of the preservation of one of Kenya’s greatest heritages through the Maasai community. It is manufactured by companies such as Safari-bead Kenya by trained personnel. They use sewing machines, tire strips to create tough all weather sandals and leather to create lighter ones that can be slipped on easily.
A good quality pair of Maasai sandals speaks for itself- it is beautiful, it is strong, it is long-lasting, it is not like any other! A good pair of Maasai sandals is also easy to find because it is always on sale at Nairobi’s mobile Maasai market! On Tuesday it is at the Westgate Shopping Centre, on Friday it awaits you at the Village Market Shopping Centre, on Saturday and on Sunday it is on sale at the City Square and it commands attention at the Yaya Centre every Sunday! With these pieces, it’s not just the simplicity and the uniqueness of a three- piece sandal; it is the utilization of nature’s most precious offers and the conservation of the very same while at it! And of course at Africa’s online store that promotes Heritage, Identity and Pride www.sokomaasai.com
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