SISTERS OF LONGIDO

We are currently working on a project book about SISTERS OF CRAFT that hopefully will be finished in time for the exhibition in August. More information about the exhibition will come. As we're going through the photos we feel so grateful for all what the project has brought us in terms of travels, meetings with inspiring cultures and amazing people. For instance the maasai women of Longido in eastern Tanzania.

Longido is a small village at the foot of Mount Longido which offers a unique glimpse into the extraordinary maasai culture. An intriguing culture known for it's brave warriors, rich cultural traditions and colorful beading craft. We went there to visit a group of women artists and learn more about the lives and craft of the maasai women.

In the maasai culture, marriage is an arranged affair where the grooms family receive a certain amount of animals for the bride. The wealth of the maasai men are counted by how many cattle and wives he has. Between 5-10 wives is common and they all live together in traditional bomas. The life of the maasai women is challenging. The men are in charge of the cattle but the rest is the womens responsibility, which means building huts, cultivating, raising children and crafting. Only the men receive education, "for women there's no need".

Twelve years ago the women of Longido started a craft community to increase the income for their families and create better opportunities for their children. Today about 60 women are part of the network and their delicate beadwork are sold to tourists and locals. 

Crafting gives the women money for food and medicine plus offers a moment of rest from their daily duties. It also has an important social aspect as the craft connects the women to each other. And it's only by working together that the maasai women will be able to make changes and improve their own and their daughters lives in a man dominated society.