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/
