A photographic study of more than one hundred beautiful ceremonial artifacts created by the Maasai people of Kenya over several generations is complemented by an evocative portrait of the Maasai and their traditions, rituals, and customs.
As much about culture as about art, this handsome book pays homage to Kenya's most notable tribe, the Maasai, who are "content with one God who had granted them life, children and all cattle." Turle, an antiques dealer in Nairobi, began to acquire Maasai objects, such as a rhinoceros horn club known as an o-rinka ; he gained the trust of the Maasai and became increasingly convinced that Africa "had much to teach me." The 115 photos, 80 of which are in color, are as striking as might be expected from the veteran Beard ( The End of the Game ), who was assisted here by Greenberg. Turle's long, thoughtful essay, punctuated by Maasai proverbs, demonstrates his enthusiasm for his subject even if he does not always focus on the photographed art objects. However, the quotations that amplify the photo captions often are from older books such as Out of Africa , and more information is needed on the Maasai struggle against "progress" today.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Turle, a Nairobi art collector, here provides a sympathetic portrait of life and art among the Maasai tribes of Kenya. His never-stale anecdotal account of visits to Maasai villages and meetings with tribal elders is spiced with details about the rituals and the place of art among these nomadic hunters. Turle relates the purpose, use, and spiritual significance of the artifacts portrayed, from ivory spears to carved rhinoceros horn and sculptured giraffe vertebrae. Close-up photos of the objects, reproductions of historical photographs of the Maasai peoples, and quotations from famous authors on East Africa amplify the experience. Of interest for its unusual art and its ethnographical and historical value.
- Russell T. Clement, Brigham Young Univ. Lib., Provo, Ut.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
