Dress in the Iringa region where Global Volunteers works is predominantly western-style, with khanga and kitenge cloths mixed in. Easily regarded by the female population as their most useful garment, they are worn by all ages and for all occasions. For her wedding, a bride will walk on a kitenge cloth walkway to the church to celebrate her purity and joy. The cloths grace kitchens, gardens, funerals, parties and formal occasions with equal style, depending on how they are worn. Rolled into a doughnut, they act as a cushion on her head to ease the weight of the water she carries from the river. Also, they can be used to carry babies or items, hung to provide shade, or as a drop-cloth to sit on. Throughout the plains and along the coast, the painting of hands and nails with henna is very common, especially for special ceremonies such as weddings. (You will likely encounter this around the Global Volunteers host community as well.)
By contrast, the Masai tribe dress as they have for centuries in a style that mesmorizes visitors. Men wear a light toga-like drape and carry spears, knives (sime) and sticks almost as accessories. The woman heavily load their necks, arms, legs and ears with bead jewelry of silver, bronze, copper or glass beads. In fact, the beads are often given as barter for these valued metals. The men smear ochre mixed with oils over their bodies and on their elaborately plaited hair. Young males approaching circumcision paint their faces white, while dressing in black calico.
