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Arab traders, sailing down the East African coast in dhows (sailboats) introduced a variety of goods in exchange for ivory and other treasures.  The earliest known Masai and Samburu beaded jewelry items, dating from around 1850.  The specfic look of jewellery in East Africa, particuarly between these two peoples was transformed about one hundred years ago.  Traders introduced tiny, colourful glass beads - uniform in size and hue.  Their variety meant that they could also be arranged in contrasting colours and geometric patterns.  This revoluntionised the look of ornament in East Africa and other parts of the continent