Neighboring tribes, admiring the beauty of the Samburu people, called them samburu meaning "butterfly." The Samburu refer to themselves as the loikop, which is generally thought to translate as "owners of the land."
BEADWORK HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. The tradition of Maasai/Samburu beadwork dates back hundreds of years. It became significant and known to the rest of the world in the 19th century after trade with other tribes.
BEADS WEREN’T THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL USED. Initially, Maasai women used dried grass, sticks, clay, seeds, and shells as materials to make the traditional ornaments. Over time, they began using attractive beads made of plastic and glass that they obtained from other communities through trade.
