THE MAASAI

The Maasai are one of the youngest and smallest indigenous ethnic group in Africa of semi-nomadic people settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania. They have a rich distinctive culture and lifestyle and are most well known for their brightly coloured clothing and beaded jewellery, their music and dance.

The Maasai have age-old customs and speak their own language (Maa).

On this page we would like to explain you more about the life of the Maasai to give you an insight in the daily lives of the children and families who are supported by our projects.

Maasai House

The Maasai live in a boma, an enclosure, with different houses and a separate corral for the cattle which is a big circle in the middle of the boma, with branches to protect their cattle against wild animals.

Their houses are surrounding the corral of the cattle How many houses the boma has, depends on the number of people who live in the boma.

Orkisima Village Boma

Cattle

Houses

A Maasai house is made by the women with a foundation of wooden poles and branches. Branches are then woven to make walls which are plastered with mud, sticks and cow dung. The roof will then be covered with thatch. Little holes serve as windows and give the possibility for light to come in.

Culture & Traditions

Ceremonies are an expression of Maasai culture and self-determination. Every ceremony is a new life. They are rites of passage, and every Maasai child is eager to go through these vital stages of life. Following is where a boy's life begin in the Maasai society.

Rich Tapestry of Maasai Rites of Passage
The Maasai society has long been renowned for its vibrant cultural traditions, centered around several significant rites of passage:

Enkipaata: A pre-circumcision ceremony for boys, marking the beginning of their journey to warriorhood.
Emuratta: The circumcision ceremony, traditionally considered the most crucial rite of passage.
Eunoto: A graduation ceremony where junior warriors become senior warriors.
Eokoto e-kule: A ceremony for senior warriors to prepare for elderhood.
Enkang oo-nkiri: The meat-eating ceremony, signifying a warrior's transition to junior elder status.
Olngesherr: The senior elder ceremony, marking the final stage of elderhood.

These ceremonies have traditionally played a vital role in Maasai society, guiding individuals through life stages and defining their roles within the community.

Emuratare: The Pivotal Circumcision Ceremony, has historically been the most significant initiation in Maasai society. This rite of passage, performed shortly after puberty, traditionally marked the transition from childhood to adulthood. For young men, it signified their entry into warrior status, bringing new responsibilities and respect within the community.

The Warrior Tradition and Lion Hunting
Becoming a warrior has been a cherished aspiration for young Maasai men for generations. Traditionally, the path to achieving full warrior status involved a dangerous and now-controversial practice: lion hunting.
Up until recently, one of the most revered ways for a Maasai warrior to prove his bravery and skill was to single-handedly kill a lion using only a spear. This act was seen as the ultimate test of courage and readiness to protect the community. The successful hunter would gain immense respect and often p

Evolving Traditions in the 21st Century
As we navigate the challenges of the modern world, some Maasai traditions are evolving:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): It's crucial to note that FGM has not been practiced in Orkisima village or the surrounding areas for many years. While historically known in some Maasai communities, many, including ours, have moved away from this practice. Learn more about FGM in Tanzania here.

Under the Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act (SOSPA) 1998, specifically Article 21 that amended Section 169 of the Penal Code, criminalizes and punishes the performance and procurement of FGM on girls under the age of 18 years in Tanzania with up to 15 years imprisonment.

Wildlife Conservation: The traditional rite of lion hunting as a passage to warrior status is no longer practiced in our community. Instead, we actively promote wildlife conservation, recognizing its importance for our ecosystem and community's future. Warriors now demonstrate their bravery and worth through other means, such as academic achievement, community service, and conservation efforts.

Cultural Preservation: While some practices have been discarded, we continue to honor and preserve the positive aspects of our cultural heritage. Many of the rites of passage continue in modified forms that align with modern values and laws.

Music & Dance

Dances are a big part of Maasai tradition. There are dances for all kinds of important social occasions. Men and women prepare for the dance by painting designs on their faces and bodies with a red, earthy pigment called ochre. They wear intricate, colourful beadwork necklaces and shawls. One at a time they go to the centre, jumping in time to the rhythm. It’s important to keep the body as straight as possible and heels shouldn’t touch the ground between jumpsThe women dance too, mothers others sing about the courage of their sons and the girls sing to encourage their favourite warrior.

Maasai music traditionally consists of rhythms provided by a chorus of vocalists singing harmonies while a song leader, or olaranyani, sings the melody. Women chant lullabies, humming songs, and songs praising their sons. Both singing and dancing sometimes occur around ceremonies and involve flirting.

Arts & Crafts

The Maasai make beautiful artworks like painting with landscapes and silhouettes of warriors and women that represent their culture and traditions. The Maasai community are known for their distinctive dress and decorative beaded jewelry, their intricate work is very elaborate since all of it is hand made. Different Maasai sub-groups can be distinguished by the color combinations of their beaded jewelry including necklaces, earrings, headbands, wrist and ankle bracelets.