ABOUT THE MAASAI COMMUNITY
1) - MAASAI LIVING -
H U T S & F O O D
Maasai homes are built by the women. Between 10 to 20 small huts are built together, which form a settlement called an 'Enkang'. The women have to learn how to build their own hut. They are made using branches which are tied together using strips of bark and grass. These make a strong frame for the hut. They often stuff dried grass and leaves in the frame for insulation. A mixture of cow manure, urine and mud is used to cover the frame, which bakes hard in the hot sun.
The men make fences out of sharp thorn bush branches around the settlement. These fences keep the precious cattle within the settlement grounds and also keep out hungry predators, such as lions. The women share their huts with their children and grandchildren, while men live separately, in different huts. Maasai women not only build, but repair their huts. They also collect firewood and water, wash clothes, and milk the cattle. They cook meals for their families and care for the children. In recent times, fetching water has often been difficult. This is because of the lack of water in the environments they live in. Women and children sometimes walk many kilometres a day to bring back water to the tribe. Maasai children also help their parents by caring for the sheep and goats.
Maasai men protect the village and their heavenly cattle. They must also search for suitable grazing land for the cattle. They often search for many days to find fresh grazing grass. Older men are in charge of the Maasai community; they organize activities and decide who will participate in them.
The Maasai traditionally rely on their animals for food. They drink milk, provided by the cattle and other animals (such as goats). They keep this milk in decorated gourds, which are containers made from large fruit. These gourds are hollowed out and dried. The Maasai eat meat from their sheep and goats, however, they do not eat meat from their cattle, because it is believed that the cattle is sent from God. In todays day and age, the number of cattle has reduced, which has forced Maasai people to buy some foods from markets, grow crops and trade food with other Maasai tribes. They also eat corn, rice and some vegetables (such as potatoes and cabbage). In addition to this, they also eat honey and porridge, and drink spicy chai tea.
H U T S & F O O D
Maasai homes are built by the women. Between 10 to 20 small huts are built together, which form a settlement called an 'Enkang'. The women have to learn how to build their own hut. They are made using branches which are tied together using strips of bark and grass. These make a strong frame for the hut. They often stuff dried grass and leaves in the frame for insulation. A mixture of cow manure, urine and mud is used to cover the frame, which bakes hard in the hot sun.
The men make fences out of sharp thorn bush branches around the settlement. These fences keep the precious cattle within the settlement grounds and also keep out hungry predators, such as lions. The women share their huts with their children and grandchildren, while men live separately, in different huts. Maasai women not only build, but repair their huts. They also collect firewood and water, wash clothes, and milk the cattle. They cook meals for their families and care for the children. In recent times, fetching water has often been difficult. This is because of the lack of water in the environments they live in. Women and children sometimes walk many kilometres a day to bring back water to the tribe. Maasai children also help their parents by caring for the sheep and goats.
Maasai men protect the village and their heavenly cattle. They must also search for suitable grazing land for the cattle. They often search for many days to find fresh grazing grass. Older men are in charge of the Maasai community; they organize activities and decide who will participate in them.
The Maasai traditionally rely on their animals for food. They drink milk, provided by the cattle and other animals (such as goats). They keep this milk in decorated gourds, which are containers made from large fruit. These gourds are hollowed out and dried. The Maasai eat meat from their sheep and goats, however, they do not eat meat from their cattle, because it is believed that the cattle is sent from God. In todays day and age, the number of cattle has reduced, which has forced Maasai people to buy some foods from markets, grow crops and trade food with other Maasai tribes. They also eat corn, rice and some vegetables (such as potatoes and cabbage). In addition to this, they also eat honey and porridge, and drink spicy chai tea.
C L O T H E S & B E A D W O R K
Maasai clothing is traditionally red. Young warriors wear short red skirts. They grow and plait their hair. They smear their head and hair with ochre, a mix of red mud and animal fat. When the young warriors - or Morani as they are traditionally called - become senior warriors, they have their hair shaved off. Older men wear red robes and a shawl covering their shoulders. This is called a Shukka. Married women wear blue clothing.
Maasai women hand-make beautiful, coloured beadwork using beads (sometimes plastic), shells, seeds and clay. They make elaborate necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Beadwork is worn by both the women and men, and is also sold to tourists.
Maasai clothing is traditionally red. Young warriors wear short red skirts. They grow and plait their hair. They smear their head and hair with ochre, a mix of red mud and animal fat. When the young warriors - or Morani as they are traditionally called - become senior warriors, they have their hair shaved off. Older men wear red robes and a shawl covering their shoulders. This is called a Shukka. Married women wear blue clothing.
Maasai women hand-make beautiful, coloured beadwork using beads (sometimes plastic), shells, seeds and clay. They make elaborate necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Beadwork is worn by both the women and men, and is also sold to tourists.
M A A S A I W A R R I O R S
The Maasai are known as fierce, daring and fearless warriors. Maasai boys go through several ceremonies as they age in order to become warriors. Maasai boys are divided up into groups with others similar to their age. These groups are called age-sets. Maasai men and boys move from one stage to another with their own age-set. A young warrior is called a 'moran'. They spend years living in a warrior camp, called 'Manyatta' which teaches them how to survive away from home, how to look after cattle and how to protect their community. The young warriors take care of the cattle. When they become senior warriors, they are told: "Now that you are an elder, drop your weapons. Use your head and wisdom instead." The senior warriors are allowed to marry and start families.
The Maasai are known as fierce, daring and fearless warriors. Maasai boys go through several ceremonies as they age in order to become warriors. Maasai boys are divided up into groups with others similar to their age. These groups are called age-sets. Maasai men and boys move from one stage to another with their own age-set. A young warrior is called a 'moran'. They spend years living in a warrior camp, called 'Manyatta' which teaches them how to survive away from home, how to look after cattle and how to protect their community. The young warriors take care of the cattle. When they become senior warriors, they are told: "Now that you are an elder, drop your weapons. Use your head and wisdom instead." The senior warriors are allowed to marry and start families.
S C H O O L & L A N G U A G E
In the past, most Maasai children did not attend school because their parents thought that their children would forget the Maasai customs and way of life. This is also because they are a nomadic tribe and are often moving from place to place. However, today the opinion is changing and more and more Maasai children are being educated in schools. Many Maasai now see education as a way to preserve their culture.
The Maasai speak their own language, called Olmaa, also known as Maa. In schools today, Maasai children learn English and Swahili, and also speak Olmaa. As well as using numbers, the Maasai also use finger signs to show the numbers. Here is how to say 1, 2, 3 in Olmaa: One - Nabo. Two - Are. Three - Uni. Pictured left is a Maasai man showing the finger sign for the number three.
In the past, most Maasai children did not attend school because their parents thought that their children would forget the Maasai customs and way of life. This is also because they are a nomadic tribe and are often moving from place to place. However, today the opinion is changing and more and more Maasai children are being educated in schools. Many Maasai now see education as a way to preserve their culture.
The Maasai speak their own language, called Olmaa, also known as Maa. In schools today, Maasai children learn English and Swahili, and also speak Olmaa. As well as using numbers, the Maasai also use finger signs to show the numbers. Here is how to say 1, 2, 3 in Olmaa: One - Nabo. Two - Are. Three - Uni. Pictured left is a Maasai man showing the finger sign for the number three.
M U S I C & D A N C E
Maasai music is based purely on the human voice. Songs are performed by groups of men and women. Men often sing about their cattle, and the women sing lullabies and milking songs. They also sing songs about their men and children. Prayers are also sung as songs.
Singing is often accompanied by dance. The young warriors are well known for a special dance, in which they stand in a circle and sing. Then, each young warrior steps into the middle of the circle and jumps up and down, on both legs. Some jump very high. This is a test of strength and these jumping competitions can go on for many hours.
Maasai music is based purely on the human voice. Songs are performed by groups of men and women. Men often sing about their cattle, and the women sing lullabies and milking songs. They also sing songs about their men and children. Prayers are also sung as songs.
Singing is often accompanied by dance. The young warriors are well known for a special dance, in which they stand in a circle and sing. Then, each young warrior steps into the middle of the circle and jumps up and down, on both legs. Some jump very high. This is a test of strength and these jumping competitions can go on for many hours.
C E R E M O N I E S
The Maasai have many ceremonies which mark important moments in a person's life. One example is a baby naming ceremony. It happens three years after birth. At the ceremony, the baby's and the mother's heads are shaved and a special bracelet is placed on child's right hand. Marriage is another important ceremony. A man shows interest in a woman by giving her a special chain. He brings gifts of honey and milk to her family. On the wedding day, the groom will also bring cattle and sheep to the bride's family. The bride wears a sheepskin dress. During the ceremony, the bride's head is shaved. She stays at the home of her new husband's mother. After two days, the couple are considered to be married. Pictured left is a Maasai woman wearing the traditional wedding attire, including the sheepskin dress, handmade beaded necklaces, and extravagant headpiece. A special ceremony marks young warriors becoming senior warriors. This ceremony is called Euonto. All the young warriors grow their hair and when they become senior warriors, the mother's shave off their long hair. This shows that each warrior's youth is now part of the past. |
2) - ENVIRONMENT -
The Maasai live on wide, open grasslands, known as savannah, which is a large open area of grassland, located in The Great Rift Valley. The savannah is similar to a desert, although there is grass and trees. The climate in the savannah is semi-arid, meaning the weather is always warm or hot. The high temperatures in the Great Rift Valley mean that water evaporates rapidly and is harder to source. The Maasai have no electricity or running water. This is why women and children of Maasai tribes are often faced with travelling many kilometres a day just to find water.
The Maasai live on wide, open grasslands, known as savannah, which is a large open area of grassland, located in The Great Rift Valley. The savannah is similar to a desert, although there is grass and trees. The climate in the savannah is semi-arid, meaning the weather is always warm or hot. The high temperatures in the Great Rift Valley mean that water evaporates rapidly and is harder to source. The Maasai have no electricity or running water. This is why women and children of Maasai tribes are often faced with travelling many kilometres a day just to find water.
3) - THREATS THEY FACE -
For the last 10 to 15 years, the Maasai have been under threat from pressures outside of their control, mainly global warming and modernisation. The limited land available to them has been severely affected by climate change which restricts their capacity to manage livestock (animals).
Without livestock, what can the Maasai do? Nutrients are essential for the human body. Because of this shortage, Maasai people are forced to travel many kilometres to find animals and also trade/buy animals from markets and other Maasai tribes.
Their families back home have their own problems. They lack sufficient water for livestock and themselves. Without livestock, they need to buy food, which they travel great distances to get. The food is not as nutritious as their traditional diet, and many mothers believe their children are far less healthy than previous generations. They often walk many miles to the nearest health facilities.
One of the most immediate threats to the Maasai comes from game hunters in the Loliondo region of Northern Tanzania. Here, Maasai villages have been burnt to the ground by the authorities, and thousands have been brutally evicted.
4) - HOW HAS CONTACT IMPACTED THEIR GROUP? -
The Maasai economy is increasingly dependent on the market economy. Livestock products are sold to other groups in Kenya for the purchase of beads, clothing and grains. Cows and goats are also sold for uniform and school fees for children. It is now common to see young Maasai men and women in major towns and cities of Kenya selling, not just goats and cows, but also beads, cell phones, charcoal and grain among other items. This interaction with humans other than their own tribes has caused the Maasai to start using modern day things such as: technology and food that is not a part of their traditional diet - such as other meats, fruits and vegetables.
The Maasai economy is increasingly dependent on the market economy. Livestock products are sold to other groups in Kenya for the purchase of beads, clothing and grains. Cows and goats are also sold for uniform and school fees for children. It is now common to see young Maasai men and women in major towns and cities of Kenya selling, not just goats and cows, but also beads, cell phones, charcoal and grain among other items. This interaction with humans other than their own tribes has caused the Maasai to start using modern day things such as: technology and food that is not a part of their traditional diet - such as other meats, fruits and vegetables.
5) - HOW HAS MODERN TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED THEIR GROUP? -
As mobile devices become more commonplace in Kenya, it was only a matter of time till the technology would reach the Maasai people, even those in the most remote locations. Mobile technology has actually proven to be very beneficial for the traditional tribe. The Kenyan government is leveraging mobile devices to help the Maasai cope with one of Kenya’s worst droughts in history that has threatened their ability to graze and water their cattle. With the help of mobile devices and information shared by researchers, herders can find out where to bring their cattle instead of roaming around for many kilometres in very arid conditions.
For those who live in more remote areas, the Maasai recharge their phones using solar panels provided by the government or diesel generators. Besides getting information about grazing lands and watering holes, the Maasai also use their phones to trade and find the best deals when selling or trading cattle. They also use the phones to contact doctors or get medical help, which are not readily available in their remote villages.
For the same price as a goat, mobile phones are becoming an affordable way for Maasai tribe members to take advantage of modern day technologies without losing their wonderful, rich traditions. Using modern technology has impacted the Maasai in a positive way and allowed them to incorporate mobile devices in their everyday errands and traditions.
As mobile devices become more commonplace in Kenya, it was only a matter of time till the technology would reach the Maasai people, even those in the most remote locations. Mobile technology has actually proven to be very beneficial for the traditional tribe. The Kenyan government is leveraging mobile devices to help the Maasai cope with one of Kenya’s worst droughts in history that has threatened their ability to graze and water their cattle. With the help of mobile devices and information shared by researchers, herders can find out where to bring their cattle instead of roaming around for many kilometres in very arid conditions.
For those who live in more remote areas, the Maasai recharge their phones using solar panels provided by the government or diesel generators. Besides getting information about grazing lands and watering holes, the Maasai also use their phones to trade and find the best deals when selling or trading cattle. They also use the phones to contact doctors or get medical help, which are not readily available in their remote villages.
For the same price as a goat, mobile phones are becoming an affordable way for Maasai tribe members to take advantage of modern day technologies without losing their wonderful, rich traditions. Using modern technology has impacted the Maasai in a positive way and allowed them to incorporate mobile devices in their everyday errands and traditions.