MAASAI CULTURE

MAASAI CULTURE

Art and Culture

MAASAI CULTURE

The Maasai are great in number. The most recent records say that
there are 841,622 of them in Kenya and 430,000 in Tanzania. Even though
the Maasai live a simple life, they still thrive in spite of our quickly
developing world. In fact, their population has probably been
increasing. In 1989 their numbers were recorded at 377,089!


The Maasai language called ‘Maa’ is spoken but not generally written.
When you have such a strong oral tradition there’s almost no reason to
write anything down at all. In fact, the oral tradition of the Maasai
people carries such weight that they decided to name themselves after
it. In simple terms, the name ‘Maasai’ itself means ‘people who speak
Maa’.


The Maasai people are so strong and their language so spirited that
many other tribes have abandoned their mother tongues in favour of
speaking Maa.


Another interesting fact is that Maa is related to the ‘Latuko
language’ spoken in Southern Sudan. This makes the idea that the Maasai
originated from the area even more likely.


Cows come before everything else for the Maasai. They are the single
most important aspect of their lives. The Maasai men take great pride in
herding as their cows are their most prized possessions.


Because the Maasai are spread across such vast expanses of land, they
have the opportunity to meet fellow tribespeople from far away. This
presents the Maasai with a great opportunity to use their cattle to
barter with. A good herd of cattle is a great sign of wealth in the same
way an expensive sports car might be to us.


Well, technically they’re semi-nomadic. They move themselves and
their livestock to the tune of a communal land management system based
on seasonal rotation.


Recently there have been whispers that consumerist nations should pay
attention to this sort of seasonal rotation. The reason being that it’s
seen as much more sustainable than the ‘take, take, take’ attitude of
many developed countries.


The nomadic way of life goes back to the roots of all human history
which makes the Maasai extra special. They and a handful other peoples
across the world are our last living link to our distant pass.


The Maasai take lion hunting very seriously indeed. Lions are never
hunted for fun and it’s not uncommon for this extremely dangerous
practice to result in hunters being injured or killed.


Going on a solo hunt for a male lion (they don't hunt females) is
seen by the tribe as a display of great courage and strength. But in
recent years the lion population has dwindled due to disease. The Maasai
created a new rule that means they can now only hunt in groups,
allowing the lion population to recover.


The practice has a deep traditional root that cultivates a
fearlessness among the tribe’s warriors. While these hunts may seem very
different to Western practices, they’re of great importance to the
Maasai people.


https://www.worktheworld.co.uk/blog/5-things-you-need-know-about-maasai

By Chungu in Art and Culture