Enkiteng (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

On the beaches of Zanzibar, Maasai women wear traditional ornaments rich in meaning: on their ankles, bracelets of multicolored, hand-woven beads , and around their legs, metal spirals called enkiteng (or sometimes olking'oti , depending on the dialect). These brass or aluminum rings are coiled in an artisanal way and symbolize cultural identity , social rank , and community belonging .

They are particularly visible during ceremonies (weddings, dances, ritual festivals), but also in daily life as markers of pride and tradition . The wearing of these jewels responds to an ancestral dress code , transmitted orally and by observation. Brass, shiny and resistant, is preferred to other materials for its symbolic value of longevity and endurance.

This type of ornamentation is specific to the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania , but can vary slightly regionally, particularly between mainland areas and island adaptations in Zanzibar.

This photograph was selected by the prestigious international gallery 1X.com, which recognizes works for their aesthetic and documentary value.