Last November, I had the privilege to visit Lakes Magadi and Natron. You can read more about that trip which has been my most epic to date here. When we got to Lake Magadi, we made our way to the hot springs where we met Maasai ladies selling curios and crafts in an open air market set up daily so that anyone who visits the area can get some memorabilia to take back with them.

While their artefacts didn’t interest us, their regalia did. Their necklaces and pendants weren’t just ornaments of beauty. Each had a meaning and a story behind why it adorned their bodies, and worn with pride. I’d never had the opportunity to interact with Maasai women like this and through Kilel our guide, I requested to take their portraits. After agreeing that the images were to be of no commercial use and parting with several hundreds for the privilege they accorded me, I got Steve Kitots to strobe for me as I Canoned away.

The white on this girl’s skin is the mud found at the Lake Magadi hot springs. Apparently it has healing qualities that make the skin beautiful. Looking at her, I have to agree.