The first auction item was a beaded meeting stick, or Oringa, that Joseph gave to me at the end of his year in Alberta. I spoke with Joseph on Thursday to get more details on what kind of symbolism the Oringa has among the Massai. He told me that the Oringa is a stick that has been beaded from the bottom to the top, with colourful glass beads, and is used in community gatherings and celebrations as a symbol of peace. The Oringa is never to be used in a meeting where conflict or violence may occur. If the Oringa is used for violence, then the glass beads will break. And when violence happens in a community, then the community begins to break. The chief holds the Oringa and greets and addresses the crowd, and the Oringa is a respected symbol of peace. The Oringa fetched $900 in the auction!
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