Hair: A Samburu Identity Statement

Abstract

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.