Ornament, Borana people, Ethiopia Two Bronze ornament 4 cm in diameter. The Borana people used brass ornaments to decorate ceremonial outfits and used as currency for barter. Our Borana brass ornament is disc shaped like an Ethiopian shield with a large projection in the middle with raised dots and incised patterns around the perimeter and sets of holes that were attached to straps. The Borana people, also called the Boran, are a subethnic group of the Oromo-speaking people who live in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. The name Borana means 'free', in reference to their nomadic nature. This type of ornament was traditionally sewn onto the skirts of Borana women during ceremonies, symbolizing their status as mothers of a circumcised male child. Of a considerable age, this piece exhibits a beautiful patina resulting from long-term use.