Three Maasai of ilpayiani (junior elders) age-grade, near Lake Manyara, Tanzania

"Elders wear very few ornaments and these are usually of styles belonging to their own warrior set and are thus out of date. Elderhood is symbolized by the flywhisk, club and snuff container. Elders who dress traditionally wear blankets with our without shukas, double or single ear fobs, often one kind in each ear, wrapped bangles, neckrings, charm necklaces and small bells." [Klumpp, D., 1987: Maasai Art and Society: Age and Sex, Time and Space, cash and Cattle. U.M.I. Dissertation information Service]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Broadcasting Company and traveled to Africa from early December 1966 to early February 1967.