Samburu woman wearing her marriage earrings
When they are four years old, Samburu children have holes cut or burnt in the fleshy part of their ears, at the top and the bottom. The holes are steadily enlarged later by the insertion of progressively bigger wooden plugs. In this way, when they grow up, people have ear lobes large enough to support large ornaments. Young girls decorate the upper part of their ear and also wear elaborate necklaces. After circumcision and marriage they can decorate their lobes as well.
Samburu woman wearing her marriage earrings
When they are four years old, Samburu children have holes cut or burnt in the fleshy part of their ears, at the top and the bottom. The holes are steadily enlarged later by the insertion of progressively bigger wooden plugs. In this way, when they grow up, people have ear lobes large enough to support large ornaments. Young girls decorate the upper part of their ear and also wear elaborate necklaces. After circumcision and marriage they can decorate their lobes as well.