The Maasai are indigenous people occupying the southern rangelands of Kenya and northern part of Tanzania and moving between highlands and lowlands. They practice traditional livelihoods as nomadic pastoralists. In addition, they are united by a common language, Maa.
Livestock, especially cattle play a central role in the lives of the Maasai who rely on them for their livelihoods. They rely on their cattle, sheep and goats for food, drinking milk and occasionally consuming the small stock. Cattle are also sold for cash, and are important in exchange for marriage, or to strengthen relationships. They are also used for ceremonial purposes.
The possession of a large number of livestock is considered a sign of wealth, but it is also necessary for livelihood security. This is because droughts, disease, cattle raiding and killing by predators always take a toll on livestock numbers, so people need a good number of livestock to survive difficult times. The Maasai have always maintained a mixture of livestock species in their herds, because having a mix of animals allows them to continue when things are difficult for any one of their livestock types. Cattle are used to acquire wives, who then bear children. For the Maasai, true wealth is expressed in the number of cattle, wives and especially in their children.
At present, the Maasai are taking up different kinds of activities to earn a living. In some places they now grow crops, engage in tourism, business or other professions. They used to kill lions or other predators to protect for their livestock. Warriors also killed lions in order to prove their bravery. For thousands of years, East African pastoralists have maintained a unique relationship with the wildlife around them. As skilled masters of living with wildlife, the Maasai warriors use different tactics to frighten wild animals that eat their livestock. Most wild animals, including elephants and lions, are afraid of them and stay clear of their villages.
Within Maasai society, men are organized into different age groups. Members of the groups must collectively go through initiation ceremonies to reach the status of warriors, and after that becoming elders. A spiritual leader, known as a laibon, oversees each group. Typically, a Maasai boy will undergo a circumcision ceremony at about age 14, which initiates him into a stage of ‘incubation’ for becoming a warrior. After a period of 6 months or one year, he becomes a warrior, and will spend about 8 years looking after livestock in distant grazing areas. During this time, the warriors also learn about social cohesion, leadership, responsibility and governance. They will use this wisdom when they become elders. Once a young man gains the status as an elder, he has the right to marry.
Maasai women are primarily responsible for domestic tasks including looking after children, milking the livestock, cooking, cleaning, and washing. They are also in charge of building homes out of mud, branches, and cattle dung. Maasai women often travel many miles to fetch water, which is sometimes unavailable and often contaminated. Donkeys are very important in that they carry water, or household goods when the family moves. Unlike men, women marry at young age immediately after their circumcision ceremonies. Polygamy continues to be common among the Maasai.
Maasai women are well known for their elaborate beadwork and songs. The ornaments signify special relationships such as newly engaged couples and noteworthy events such as a lion hunt. The mane of a lion killed by a warrior used to make a head dress. Maasai men are equally well known for their spectacular dancing and singing. Although the Maasai are in a period of tradition, they are strong advocates of their own culture and way of life.
To Learn More Visit:
African Tribes – Maasai People:
http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/maasai.htm
Beads for Education:
http://www.beadsforeducation.org/
The Maasai Association
http://www.maasai-association.org/maasai.html