The Maasai- a fascinating people
Who are the Maasai?
The Maasai people are known for their tall, proud stature and their distinctive dress and ornaments. Many tourist brochures feature their colorful appearance. They live in Kenya and parts of Tanzania. Their total number has been estimated to almost one million members. Traditionally the Maasai are a semi-nomadic people, moving where there is grazing for their cattle-herds. But like many other tribes, life is changing for the Maasai. Among other things, the Kenyan government is trying to encourage them to settle down a bit more. One reason for this being that their roaming affects the wildlife, more specifically- the life of the lions. There are very few lions left in Kenya ( some estimates say only 2000) and the Maasai are threatening their survival by encroaching on their habitats. Killing a lion has always been viewed as a proof of manliness, and is still occasionally done.
Another interesting tribe - The Hamer
- People of Africa: The Hamer Tribe in Ethiopia
The Hamer tribe is an indigenous group of people in Africa. Their home is in the beautiful Omo Valleylocated in the south- western parts of Ethiopia. They are a semi- nomadic, pastoral people, numbering about 42 000. The Hamer people are dependent on
Life and customs
The Maasai used to view all cattle of the world as a gift from God to them, so stealing cattle from other tribes was just a means of taking their rightful due. Nowadays they use negotiation and baragaining to increase their herds. Cattle has always been a central part of their lives, and a main part of their diet, including the blood of cattle. Now, because of climate-changes, there has been a lot of droughts.So as herds grow smaller, food from other areas are increasing. Quite a number of Maasai are also dependant on relief food. At present, the staple diet consists of milk-products and maize flour.They also eat different herbs and grains.
There are many customs and traditions around the initiation into manhood or womanhood, the main one being circumcision. Female circumcision is forbidden in both Kenya and Tanzania, but this doesn’t prevent people from performing it. A man might not want to marry a woman who has not been circumcised, or he will offer a very low bridal price. Different organizations along with the government are working hard to stop this practice. Even the male circumcision amon the Maasai is a painful event. It is usually done every 15 years or so to most boys in the age group of 12-25 years. The rituals around this event involve a lot of singing and dancing, the ’’ Jumping-dance’’ probably being the most well-known.
A new way of life
These days, many Maasai are finding new ways of surviving, by selling jewellery, working in office, selling milk-products or working as tourist guides. Life is changing, for them and for others. At least different projects have been launched to try and help them reach a balance between their traditional way of life, and the necessary new way. They are still resisting efforts to completely make them abandon their culture, which they are so proud of. The Maasai is truly an interesting people!