A Cultural History of the Maasai People
The Maasai people are among the most popular tribes in the world. They are found in East Africa, South of Kenya and North of Tanzania. They are among the most visible tribes because they have stuck with their traditions.
You have probably seen their pictures, heard intriguing stories about them, or interacted with some.
For those who do not know about them, we have compiled a list of the eight things you show know about the Maasai culture
1. They Hunted Lions
The Maasai have hunted lions for a long time. It was a rite of passage for young warriors looking to prove they are brave and resourceful to the community. This practice was taken very seriously.
A group of young Maasai warriors would hut and kill a male lion. Female lions were spared and protected because they are bearers of life and future success.
The governments of Kenya and Tanzania have criminalized this practice. The governments are protecting lions and other wild animals from illegal hunting.
The population of lions in the region is also waning quickly. They will soon be declared endangered species. This ban is essential in conserving lions for future generations.
Tourism is the backbone of these two economies. Protecting wildlife ensures the prosperity of both Kenya and Tanzania.
2. The Maasai People Drink Raw Blood
Drinking raw cattle blood is one of the most interesting traditions of the Maasai. This may seem strange to some people, but drinking draw cattle blood is an honorable practice among the Maasai.
Sometimes, raw blood is mixed with milk. It is reserved for special occasions such as circumcisions. This is when young men are inducted into manhood.
They also drink it when celebrating the birth of a newborn.
Looking to cure a hangover? Try mixed raw cattle blood. Some Maasai elders drink it to get rid of hangovers.
3. The Maasai Culture Values Children and Cattle
Children are blessing not only to the family but also to the entire community. A man is considered to bless based on the number of children he has. Women try to bear as many children as they physically can.
Their traditions do not identify with family planning practices. It is a taboo to discuss family planning.
They also value their cattle. The Maasai are pastoralists and constantly move with their cattle in search of pastures.
In this community, cattle are a form of currency. Thus they spend most of their time accumulating as many cattle as possible. Wealth is solely measured by the number of cattle a person has. They use cattle to marry, trade and secure their futures.
4. The Dead are not Buried
This sounds astonishing? Yes, the Maasai do not bury the dead. According to their traditions, death is an absolute end. Whoever dies has completed his/her journey.
When a person dies, it is an opportunity for the Maasai to give back to the earth. They do this through a ‘predator’ burial.
The body is smeared with fat or blood then left in the open in the bush for predators to consume.
5. They Practice Wealth Inheritance
The Maasai value their cattle over other material possessions. A father nearing death calls all his sons and gives them a portion of his wealth. The dying father gives each son cattle in descending order.
After receiving cattle from the dying father, each son gives a portion of it to the oldest son. The eldest son is the new head of the family.
This practice is meant at expelling the curse associated with profiteering from the father’s death at the expense of the firstborn son.
6. The Maasai Women Build Homes
In a Maasai community, men are dominant, hold positions of power, moral authority, social privilege, and control wealth.
Even though men are very dominant, women build homes. It is the responsibility of women to build the huts that they live in. The huts are made of mud, cow dung, grass, and sticks.
The women also supply the community with milk, water, and cook.
The men take care of the cattle, provide food, and build protective fences around the community. They also protect the community from enemies. They engage neighboring communities that pose a threat in fights.
The Maasai warriors are very fierce people, and it is not a good idea to take on any of them.
7. They Love Singing and Dancing
The Maasai are among the few people in the world who practice ‘throat singing.’ They use their throats to produce sounds that mimic animal calls, especially cattle.
Maasai love singing and dancing. They use these occasions to bring people together to celebrate different life stages.
Their dancing is primarily competitions of vertical jumps. Young boys take this opportunity to show off how high they can jump. Those who jump very high are considered strong and masculine. The strong and masculine get the attention of all the girls.
8. The Maasai Clothes
All the Maasai like wearing the color red, which is significant in their culture, they believe that color red scares lions.
The men cover their bodies with red robes while women wear colorful clothes covered with beads.
Beaded jewelry is popular among the Maasai. Men wear beads on their necks, waists, wrists, and ankles. Women wear beaded collars.
Every color of the beads symbolizes something. Red is a symbol of strength and bravery. White means cow’s milk. Green represents plantation. Blue means rain and color of the sky. Yellow and orange mean hospitality. Black represents the hardships of the people.
Warriors wear braids dyed in red while women and children keep their hair short.
Visit East Africa
The Maasai people are very hospitable. If you were planning to travel to East Africa, make sure that you visit the Maasai tribe.
They are known internationally because they reside near many of the national game parks.
The governments of Kenya and Tanzania have initiated programs to encourage the Maasai to abandon the nomadic lifestyle, but they have carried their customs.
Please visit our blog for more insightful information about the Maasai culture.