Made up of sixteen sections, the ancient warrior tribes of the Maasai people have called southern Kenya and northern Tanzania home for centuries. Their population numbers nearly half a million and altogether, they occupy a total land area of some 160,000 square km. Living within semi-arid and arid lands, these fascinating people once dominated the plains of East Africa and were considered by European explorers to be fierce and dangerous. Today, their domination has waned, however the Maasai are still very much alive and well. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about these intriguing people.
• Maasai homes are called Inkajijik. They are rectangular and loaf-shaped and constructed from the land. The women of the tribe are responsible for building the houses using materials such as sticks, grass, mud and even cow dung. Women are also responsible for supplying water, gathering firewood, milking the livestock and preparing meals for their families.
• The men of the tribe, in addition to being hunters and “warriors”, are responsible for building fences made out of acacia thorns, which form a circular shelter called a Kraal in which communities and extended families live. These fences are primarily used to prevent lions from attacking the tribe’s livestock.
• Sometimes referred to as “people of cattle”, Maasai value cattle and other livestock highly and use it as a both a form of internal currency and a means of obtaining outside goods such as clothing, beads, grains and uniform and school fees for children. Everything from culture to social relationships to symbolism and language are dominated by cattle. Livestock is frequently traded for milk, siege, cash and other livestock and close familial ties are established through cattle exchange.
• On special occasions, such as when a person is circumcised, gives birth or is sick, the Maasai people may drink cattle blood as it is considered to be good for the immune system. Additionally, the elders of the tribe often use cattle blood to alleviate intoxication or hangovers after a night of drinking alcohol.
• The Maasai rarely farm (only doing so when they have no other choice). This practice is frowned upon because they believe that manipulating the land for crop farming is considered a crime against nature. Maasai feel that once land is cultivated, it is no longer suitable for their precious livestock to graze on.
• Lion hunting is considered a symbolic rite of passage to the Maasai. They consider the experience a personal achievement and a sign of bravery among warriors. The Maasai also respect the lion and understand the important role it plays in the surrounding eco-system, so they only hunt in groups to protect the waning lion population. Additionally, female lions are never hunted because the Maasai believe that females of every species are the bearers of life. Successful lion hunts are met with week-long celebrations. Lion meat is not consumed, but rather only the mane, tail and claws are used by the Maasai people.
• The Maasai are savvy investors when it comes to their currency, livestock. To alleviate risk, herders will often give livestock as loans to relatives or other tribe members. This way if a disaster should strike his herd, he will still have the chance to collect the debts of his “loaned” livestock and begin rebuilding.
• The life cycle of the Maasai is marked by key milestones called “age-grades”. Moving from one age to the next is celebrated with ceremonies and marks critical transitions for both the individual and the community as a whole. Maasai men pass through three main stages: boy, warrior and elder. Maasai women, on the other hand, do not pass through stages like the men do.
• Aside from cattle, Maasai value children as extremely important and they are considered to be a blessing on the tribe. Women contribute to their family’s success and well-being by bearing as many children as they physically can. For a woman to die without mothering children is considered to be a sad and tragic fate.
• Maasai respect the elements of nature, particularly thunder, lightning and rain, as both gifts and punishments on the tribe. They use the term “engai” when they speak of God or the elements, as they believe these natural occurrences shape the earth on which they live. The Maasai pray to Engai as a spiritual force that governs the universe.
While there are many thriving tribes throughout the African continent, the Maasai are one of the most interesting and successful. A colorful and proud people, the Maasai provide a fascinating glimpse into what life may have been like in East Africa centuries ago. Age-old traditions and deep-seeded beliefs govern this captivating tribe and they continue to breathe life and character into the African plains that they call home.
Culled from http://www.reallifeadventuretravel.com/
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