Bukusu Dance Class 3 of 3 (Dance Attires/Ornaments)

AfricaAfrican CultureBukusu Dance Class 3 of 3 (Dance Attires/Ornaments)
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There is a wide diversity of attires for Bukusu dance shows. The attires include among others;

 Butundi- Variety of multicolored beads on a string.

Chinakwe- Pieces of split stick (castanets) worn on the hands.]

Chindekwe- The hand-worn bangles

Biyula- Waistline costumes.

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Chinjiya- (longer than biyula) Woven by female married dancers made from wild sisal (nabiili), and banana stems (kamarakicha).

Biliko- Waist wrappers made from banana stem and wild sisal fibers. Abandoned in 1920s in favor of wearing calf, goat or antelope skins on waists.

Kamakutu- Knee-high hide cloaks woven by older men. Chichwala (inner membrane) removed and skin softened into shape using ghee. Kamakutu were abandoned for modern cotton clothing and blankets.

Ekhorere or Ekutwa- head gear made from monkey skin decorated with cowries (chisimbi). It is an elder’s attire as well.

Epokoto- A wide ivory band worn on right arm.

Sirere Sukure- Copper or gold bracelet worn on left hand.

Kumukhinga- Flywhisk, traditionally from a buffalo tail. Today, cow flywhisks are easier to find.

Engeye- Tail with lots of fur, often from rodents such as wild hares.

Ekhendie- Walking stick from kumukhendie tree.

 Wambulwa- 3 or 4-legged Bukusu stools.

Kamaleso- Use of Swahili Kanga has been adopted in Bukusu dance from 1990s to the present.

Body Paint- Dancers can paint their bodies in various dyes and paints such as red ore or chalk

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