shuka

Shuka is a traditional outer garment worn by the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. It is a large rectangular cloth, typically woolen, that is draped over the shoulders or wrapped around the body as a robe. The color most commonly associated with shukas is red, though patterns often include stripes or checks in other colors such as blue, green, black, and white. The term shuka comes from the Maa language and refers to a blanket or wrap.

In daily life, the shuka serves practical purposes, providing warmth, modesty, and protection from dust. It also holds social and symbolic significance within Maasai culture, where color and pattern can convey information about age, gender, or status in particular contexts or ceremonies. Shukas can be used as clothing, as a bed cover, or as a communal item during gatherings and rites of passage.

Production and distribution: Traditionally, shukas were handmade from the wool of sheep or goats and dyed with natural pigments, producing durable fabrics suited to the climate and pastoral lifestyle. In modern times, factory-made shukas using wool or cotton and synthetic dyes are widely available, and brightly colored versions have become popular in tourist markets as well as within communities.

See also: Maasai culture, East Africa, traditional textiles.