Masai People

Masai People

Masai people and their village

Masai are probably the most discussed tribe in the world. The Masai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley on semi-arid and arid lands.

What are mostly characteristic of the Masai’s appearance are their red robes, usually wearing spears, braided hair dyed with ochre, and adorned with lots of traditional jewels. The piercing and stretching of earlobes is also common among the Masai. They are generally admired for their dignified, graceful, impressive look, and their highly trained bodies.

Livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep are the primary source of income for the Masai.

The concept of private ownership was, until recently, a foreign concept to the Masai. They believe in the existence of one God, whom they call Enkai/Engai.

An interesting thing is that their dwellings (‘manyatta’), were initially built by women from wooden structures, mud and cow dung. They are either star-shaped or circular. Within this space, the family cooks, eats, sleeps, socializes, and stores food, fuel, and other household possessions. Small livestock are also often accommodated within this space.

The traditional Masai diet consists of raw meat, raw milk, and raw blood from cattle. They often kill lions to protect their livestock- a practice which has now been banned in East Africa. Nevertheless, killing a lion gives one great value and celebrity status in the community.