So I’ve mentioned the Masai tribe in previous posts, but I’ve never really shared many details. When we went on the safari we were in Masai Mara aka Masai land. I hand the opportunity to see first hand and learn more about Masai culture.
The Masai tribe is one of 42 tribes in Kenya. Despite the swift modernization of Kenya over the last century, the Masais have held onto their culture and customs more-so than any other tribe. Other Kenyans have a lot of respect for them because of this. Even now, they continue to roam around lands with their livestock and build circular houses called manayattas. The Masai people are visibly distinctive in appearance and and are known for their brightly colored jewelry and shukas (fabrics). Prior to modernization, they wore minimal clothing if any at all. The fabrics they now wear reflect that even they have modernized too. They also have distinct gauges in their ears adorned with more beaded jewelry. The men carry around handmade knives and other weapons in their belts to fight of animals when necessary.
There are many rights of passage within the Masai culture. As early as age 7, they begin threading their earlobes to create gauges. Later, beaded jewelry is added to their earlobes which helps one come into their identity as a Masai. In their teens, male and female circumcision is practiced. Special ceremonies accompany this tradition and mark adult maturity. After women are circumcised, they are prepared to be married. Sometimes as early as age 10, but usually in the mid teens. After young men are circumcised, they eat meat and drink blood and milk for a number of days while they recover. After they heal, they are trained to be warriors who hunt carrying spears and shields. The mark of manhood is killing a male lion and all the men in the community gather to watch. After the lion has been slain, a special headdress is created for the young man and he is paraded back into the village to pick a bride. Apparently one must demonstrate how high he can jump to woo a woman. Once he finds a wife, he must make sure he has accumulated enough cows to pay for her dowry.
With the way tourism is booming in the safari lands, the Masai have been impacted by tourists. Some have problems with it and do what they can to make things difficult for the tourists. On our ride into the hotel there was a group of Masai warriors blocking off the road in front of us with big tree limbs so that we could not pass through. Apparently this is pretty common. On the other hand, some Masai have embraced the tourism industry. Many work in the hotels as servers and managers. Others sell their artisan wood carvings and beaded wares to the tourists when they come. As the world around them continues to change, the Masai will continue to cling to their culture while adapting to the world around them. ~ Nell in Nairobi
