Browsing by Author "Matheka, Reuben"

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    PublicationOpen Access
    The Economic Utility of Beads Culture of the Samburu Tribe of Kenya
    (African Journal of Social Sciences, 2013) Nyambura, Ruth; Nyamache, Tom; Waweru, Peter; Matheka, Reuben
    Beads have played an important role in the personal lives of Africans. They have been valued as currency, identification of status and as an artistic medium. Beads forms an integral part of the Samburu culture and have many uses and symbolic meanings. The first periodic beads market in Samburu District was established in Maralal town in 1991. The aim of this study is to clarify how the Samburu pastoralists reacted to the emergence of the beads market that provided them constant opportunity for trade. Equally Equall it analyses the economic utility of this trade to the cultural systems and believes among the Samburu. The method applied in the study was largely qualitative research. This was done through library search, interview schedules and observation. Based on the t he findings, beads are used in all aspects of the Samburu lives and actually vibrate the culture. This study will be of help to historians, artists, ethnographers, anthropologists and the general public as a body of knowledge and reference material of the uses and symbolism of beads among other communities.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Hair: A Samburu Identity Statement
    (Journal Of International Academic Research For Multidisciplinary, 2014-03) Nyambura, Ruth; Nyamache, Tom; Matheka, Reuben; Waweru, Peter
    Hair is inherently inscribed with meaning as a manifestation of personal preference or imposed rules of conduct.Hair among the Samburu culture is more than simply statement of personal state and style. It is a marker of cultural identity, age, gender, idea; avenue of artistic expression and mastery. This paper discusses hair as a mirror of identity in the Samburu culture. Despite westernism and Christianity the Samburu cultural practices especially adornment has persisted. The study was grounded in the cultural theory of history. The method applied in the study was largely qualitative research. This was done through library search, interview schedules and observation and field photography. This study provides literature to historians, artists, ethnographers, anthropologists and the general public as a body of knowledge and reference material in studying cultural history of other communities.