The Maasai

The Maasai tribe are an indigenous ethnic group of people settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania. 

Because of their distinct cultural traditions, customs, clothing and having their homesteads near the many national game reserves of East Africa, the Maasai are among the most fascinating African ethnic groups and are well known for their adornment and inherit skill.

Government Pressure on Traditions

Although the Kenyan and Tanzania governments have established programs to encourage the Maasai to leave behind their traditional lifestyle, the Maasai people have continued to carry on their traditional customs.

Because government policies have been focusing on preservation of their national parks and reserves; this has made the traditional Maasai way of life increasingly difficult to maintain and preserve for their future generations to experience.

Although many Maasai people have moved away from their traditional nomadic way of life, the Maasai youth are now becoming educated and active in the business and governmental roles within their countries.

Despite this trend of modernization, the Maasai people are still known for their traditional colorful Shuka, cowhide sandals, huts, “natural fences” for their homesteads and the beautiful beading and adornment that is crafted mainly by the Maasai woman.

Even walking around downtown Nairobi, the Maasai people can be easily recognized for their brilliant red blankets and beautifully crafted colorful beaded jewelry. 

Traditionally the Maasai prepared their young males to be warriors

Traditionally the Maasai are know for herding cattle and their warrior skills.  In the Maasai custom the norm was for all young men to leave the family at the age of 14 to begin their warrior training, which meant surviving in the bush for more then seven years with a spear and a blanket.  

This male initiation in the past was designed to develop survival skills and bring about the embracing of nature.

Because the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments put pressure on the Maasai to give up their traditional way life.  Many of the Maasai today attend school and on to university and careers. 

Today many Maasai leaders have embraced and are open to the possibilities of tourism, travelers and inviting outsiders into their villages to learn about the traditional Maasai life.  This has allowed the Maasai to continue to preserver their heritage and traditions while creating means for the community and preparing their children for modern life. 

As a result, many Maasai still keep herds of cattle, sheep and goats.  They still perform the age rites of passages and live off the land in traditional Maasai houses called manyattas, which is a sturdy compound, usually built by the woman in the community, made of mud and sticks.