Publication: The Evolution of Samburu Adornment
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2014-09
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Asian Academic Research Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities
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Abstract
Self-adornment plays a significant role in individual and social life in most communities. The
Samburu place great significance on adornment. Adornment among the Samburu ranges from
painting, scarring, attire and ornaments. The paper investigates the origin of the Samburu
community and evolution of the adornment pattern to present. The paper was informed by
cultural theory. Culture includes knowledge, believes, art, law, morals, customs and other skills
acquired by man as a member of society. Cultural history focuses on the changes and practices
in human agency. Culture is transmitted across generations through the memory which is a
faculty of the individual mind. Adornment is a societal practice and basically the skin serves as a
visible way of defining individual identity and cultural differences. Data was collected by oral
interviews, archival search, non-participant observation as well as thorough the examination of
secondary sources from various libraries. The data was analysed using Ex Post Facto design. The
study will contribute to the maintenance of the Samburu adornment in the Kenya‟s
historiography. Further, the research findings will be useful to researchers who may wish to
study aspects of adornments among other communities.
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Samburu, Body art