Beadwork has been practiced in Africa and worldwide for centuries. In East Africa, different communities made beads
from a wide range of materials available to them. This materials range from black coral collected from the Indian
Ocean to the use of bone from their livestock. This study is an analysis of beadwork uses in the following East African
communities; Dinka of South Sudan, Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, and the Samburu of Kenya. Conducted in Nairobi,
the objective was to establish its social-cultural significance as an art form. It was also a part of the annual design
symposia, workshops and presentations involving master’s students, faculty, experts and stakeholders. The research
used an interview guide, observation and a historical research method. The findings established that beadwork was
used for social, cultural and religious practices in all the communities. These include, rites of passage, decoration and
ornamentation, and also for political and leadership purposes. Despite the similarities in occasions, the types, and
colors of beads used differed. The findings further pointed out the unique characteristics in color, materials, shape of
beads in each community.
