7 Riveting Aspects of The Maasai Culture

You are probably in awe at how they interact with nature and going by a few videos, how they have had fighting duels and shared a meal with the lions. It is really a marvel to behold how the Maasai have held on to their culture.

The Maasai are a physically beautiful, lean and healthy nomadic, pastoral indigenous tribe whose ancestral territory stretches across southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are closely related to the Nuer, Kalenjin and Dinka.

The Maasai community are globally known for their distinctive culture, high jumping dances, beautiful dresses and being gutsy warriors.

Here are 7 riveting aspects of the Maasai culture:

1. Our cattle is precious gold: For centuries the Maasai have been nomadic pastoralists whose lifestyle depended on their cattle. They believe they are the custodians of cattle- the shepherds who amass and graze large herds of cows (and to a lesser extent goats and sheep). The cattle is a great income earner, plays a giant role in the Maasai traditional and communal life like establishing alliances and as a sacred diet. The Ilkunono, a sub-group of the Maasai, were also known for making cowbells and weapons, and being skilled blacksmiths.
2. Our lions respect our Warriors: Though lion-hunting as a traditional is no longer practiced, it has been a key Maasai rite of passage for many decades past. The young Maasai men graduated to Morans through this initiation rite- the ala-mayo. Hunting is currently forbidden by the law but the fierce bravery of the Moran still stands tall.
3. From boys to men: The Eunoto ceremony marks the boys to Morans Ilmurran warriors upon circumcision events held every 10-15 years marking a new age-set.
4. Our shiny and distinctive Maasai drip: The Maasai are known for their physical beauty, graceful physiques, their unique ornamentation and garments. The Maasai warriors traditionally have braided hair, which is dyed with red ochre. The Maasai have distinctive dress and decorative beaded jewellery for various events that can be distinguished by the color combination of the beaded jewellery. The Maasai blanket is perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of the Kenyan Maasai. Just like many Kenyans from various tribes, I have mine that comes in handy in the cold seasons.
5. Anyone fancy cow’s milk and cow’s blood? The Maasai have a tradition of drinking raw blood, cooked blood, and blood-milk mixtures. Drunk in chai, drunk soured (or raw), or turned into butter, milk is a part of almost every meal for Maasai herders. Raw beef is also consumed. Unknown to many, the diet has always been supplemented with tubers, honey, and foraged plants that are most often used in stews. More recently, the Maasai have supplemented their diet with grains and maize-meal as urban lifestyles sneak up on them and communities interact.
6. You can not beat the Maasai in a jumping contest: The Maasai have many singing and dancing ceremonies but the best-known is their jumping dance- adamu. It is often a tingle of display to witness the extreme heights reached by the Maasai warriors.
7. Staying green is a Maasai rule: Since time immemorial, the Maasai have nomadically grazed their herds while taking care of the environment and the resident wildlife. They did this mainly by migrating seasonally across territories, leaving the land plenty of time to recover before cycling back for a graze.

Though influenced by the changes in society, many Maasai cultural practices are still embraced today,. The Maasai community continues to fascinate and inspire.