The Masaai People

He gave me the name,  Nashipai, meaning happiness and made a proposal:

Five cows, three blankets and a space for me to build my house.

That would be the dowry to be wedded to the lion killer.

Alex, the lion killer and also the guide who showed me around is the eldest son of the village chief. His father has thirty- two children and six wives. The Maasai society is patriarchal with men having the authority to have more than one wife. When he introduced me to his father, and one of the father’s wives, their earlobes caught my attention.  

While his father wasn’t wearing any jewelry in his ear, the intricately designed beadwork  adorned his wife’s ear. The Maasai tribe is known for their body modifications; they pierce and stretch their earlobes. 

The lion killer seemed so gentle when he spoke, but under that calm exterior, there must have been a fierce warrior, strong enough to kill a lion, as his name had implied. 

As he spoke, I keenly listened and made notes; I wanted to document it all.

Hunting and killing a lion is a rite of passage to manhood in the Maasai culture. Boys go into the forest for five years to develop survival skills as well as learn how to throw a spear. Boys are also circumcised at the age of fifteen without anaesthetic.

We went to the tribe and they placed a shùkà, a colorful woven Maasai garment over my top. I welcomed the gesture as I was exploring the culture, but when they placed a headdress made of a lion’s mane on my head, I tried to maintain my composure. I was interested to know the significance of the red in their attire and was told that their brightly colored shùkàs serve an an identification for families and help to ward off animals.

Maasai warriors are famous for their jumping dance or adumu. Their angular bodies and long strides with colorful textures against the landscape showed the obligations and tenacity of a Maasai warrior.

The men skipped in a circle while making deep guttural chants and with the cows mooing in the background, sandals hitting the ground and their beads swinging with the rhythm of the music, the melody was perfect.

Each of them took turns jumping gracefully, and as high as possible without their heels touching the ground. As they jumped higher, the singers raised the pitch and volume of their voices to the heights of their jumps.

The dance not only demonstrates a warrior’s strength and agility, but also attracts eligible women watching.

I am not sure why they encouraged me to be part of that warrior dance.

Cattle is an important part of the Massai culture. A man’s wealth is measured by the number of cattle and offspring he has. They drink the milk and blood, so it’s also a vital food source.

Due to their semi nomadic life, they are on the move seasonally. Built by the women, the Maasai houses or bomas are constructed of natural materials- mud clay, grass, leaves, ash, fresh cow dung and urine. Each village has twenty five houses but they change every nine years because of termites. The village is surrounded by a fence to protect the tribe and their cattle from wild animals.

A boma
Bed area
Kitchen area
These are used a repellant for mosquitos
Maasai children

I was asked if I wanted to stay the night, but I politely declined because I was leaving the camp that very day. Though I’ve read and watched documentaries on polygamous and polyamorous societies/ relationships, it would have been interesting if I had stayed the night to observe the traditional gender roles and customs within their families.   

It was an eye opening experience.

 I now have a shùkà to remind me of the textures and colors of                                                  Kenya and the Maasai people.

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Naths

    I was very excited and fascinated by this adventure you had!!! So happy that you have it documented and that you are sharing this with the world!!!! Very good read.

    1. Shan

      Thanks, Naths! It was an amazing experience!

  2. Sis Sergeant

    What a wonderful experience Shanon. Thanks for this commentary.

    1. Shan

      Appreciate the love, Sis Sergeant! It was exciting being in their camp.

  3. Ismay Henry

    I have never seen or met the maasai tribe before. I thank you for the knowledge and adventure that you have given to me. Thanks for presenting it in such a way that I would want to do some exploring on my own.

    1. Shan

      Thanks for the love, Ms. Henry! It was interesting learning about the culture.

  4. Ozzy Pozzy

    Beautiful adventure Shanny, I must say much thanks for sharing your eye opening experience.

    1. Shan

      Ozzy Pozzy! Thanks always for the love!

  5. Lady Zelda

    It is refreshing to read about your amazing adventures.

    1. Shan

      Thanks Lady Zelda! I appreciate it!

    2. Shan

      I appreciate it, Lady Zelda!

  6. Rach

    Thank you for presenting it honestly & beautifully

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