The Maasai People of Kenya & Tanzania: Culture & Traditions

The Maasai People of Kenya & Tanzania: Culture & Traditions. Red robes are a common visual cue for the Maasai people of Tanzania and Kenya, who live on the Great Plains and savannah’s across Africa. The Maasai are known for their gracefulness and towering stature. Cattle have always played a significant role in their culture, serving as both a source of food and a valuable commodity. In Maasai culture, children and cattle are considered assets. The Maasai are well-known for their nomadic lifestyle, which includes hunting, gathering, and fighting. They have been traversing the east African plains for hundreds of years, looking for water and pastures to feed their livestock.

The original Maasai, Maasinta, were said to have been bestowed cattle by the sky deity ‘Ngai,’ who then conveyed them to Earth on a sliver of leather, according to Maasai belief. Since then, people have revered animals as sacred and holy, with children being the only thing more valuable than cattle. The Maasai are often polygamous, therefore having a big family and a herd of cattle is considered a symbol of prosperity.

Popular parks such as Amboseli, Ngorongoro, Tsavo, and the Serengeti were once part of the Maasai people’s nomadic range. As a result of their determination to hold on to their traditional ways of life despite many outside influences, the Maasai people of East Africa can be seen in most cultural tours, whether they are tending to livestock, dancing the traditional adumu, or simply strolling along roads. Among the most well-known Maasai traditions are the jumping dance, spitting, drinking cow blood, and donning the colourful shuka.

The Maasai wear what is known as shuka, which is a vibrantly coloured garment. Because of its association with blood and its veneration as a sacred colour, red is the base colour for all shuka designs. To a lesser extent, red deters predators from harming the Maasai. A sky that showers rain on the cattle is symbolised by blue, while orange stands for friendliness, warmth, and welcome. The colour green is associated with growth and fertility, whereas the colour yellow is a symbol of food and production. All these vibrant colours together represent the Maasai people and set them apart from other East African tribes.

An iconic component of the Maasai initiation ritual that ushers young men into manhood is the adamu, a jumping dance with deep cultural roots. As a traditional song plays in the background, men compete in couples to see who can leap the highest. Bravery, dexterity, and strength are symbolised by this tradition. When males become eligible bachelors, it is an essential component of the party. The women will choose the man who can jump the highest because they think he is the most handsome.

In contrast to Western beliefs about the propriety of public displays of bodily fluids, the Maasai view saliva as a symbol of good fortune that should be shared. Before shaking the hand of an elder, it is essential to spit into one’s palm. Spit on a newborn baby’s head is another traditional practice for warding off evil spirits. Contrast spitting with drinking cattle blood.

Because they are hematophages, the Maasai get their nutrition from animal blood. They avoid eating wild animals, which is somewhat amusing considering that they consume cow blood, which they occasionally mix with milk. Incredibly, for all their fame as cattle keepers, the consumption of beef is reserved for solemn events and major rituals. In order to avoid any long-term harm to their sacred and beloved cows, the Maasai refrain from drinking their blood.

MAASAI TRIBE: Origin and Culture [Kenya and Tanzania]