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The basic economic and social unit is the enkang, a semi-permanent settlement of several families pasturing their stock together, perhaps ten to twenty huts surrounded by a thorn or leleshua fence into which the livestock are driven at night.
Fresh and curdled milk, carried and stored in long, decorated gourds,
is the basic item of the Masai diet. With it may be mixed blood tapped from the jugular vein of a bullock or cow. Sheep and goats are the principal source of meat; cattle are rarely slaughtered, and then usually for ceremonial purposes.
The Masai comprises five (some claim seven) clans; ilmakesen, il-laiser, il-molelian, il-taarrosero and il-ikumai. Each is divided into a number of divisions, distinguished by the characteristic cattle brands. These clans are spread throughout Masailand.
Authority derives from the age-group and the age-set. Prior to circumcision a natural leader or olaiguenani is selected; he leads his age-group through a series of rituals until old age, sharing responsibility with a select few, of whom the ritual expert (oloiboni) is the ultimate authority.
Masai youths are not circumcised until they are mature, and a new age-set is initiated together at regular intervals of twelve to fifteen years. The young warriors (ilmurran) remain initiates for some time, using blunt arrows to hunt small birds which are stuffed and tied to a frame to form a head-dress.
Eventually, in their turn, the warrior age-set gives way to its juniors and graduates in a special ceremony (eunoto) to senior status. A warrior of repute endowed with the qualities of leadership is selected to open the way for the others of his age-set to be initiated. Once the new age-group leader (olotuno) is approved by the oloiboni, a bullock is slaughtered and the leader is the first to drink the blood from the animal’s neck.
The enclosure and ceremonial hut built specifically for the eunoto ceremony is known as
enkang o sinkira, and it is here that the four days of rites are staged. Sitting on the same cowhide on which he was circumcised, each warrior has his head shaved by his mother.
The freshly-shaved head is decorated with a mixture of ochre and fat. At the close of the ceremony the olotuno is invited to select any girl he chooses for a wife. - signalling the next phase for the newly graduated senior warriors, who are henceforth permitted to marry.
As for centuries past, the life of the Masai is conditioned by the constant quest for water and grazing. In the more arid areas of Masailand, livestock are moved seasonally, often several hundred miles, to take advantage of undergrazed areas or new growth generated by localised rain.
Masai remain reluctant to reduce their herds to the carrying capacity of the land. Is not cattle wealth given to them by Enkai (God)? Group ranching schemes and division of former communal land into private holdings with titles deeds is resulting in the permanent settlement of increasing numbers of Masai. In Narok, fertile wheatlands on the slopes of the Mau are now being exploited as inevitably, change, long resisted, is now reluctantly accepted.
Written Jan 7, 2012
The Masais are one of the oldest Nomadic tribes of Africa and are a kind of human fossil , still holding on to most of its cultures and beliefs.
They live in one of the harshest conditions with an absolute scarcity of water in the vast Savannahs and thus are mostly dependent on their cattles for meat, milk, dung and the minimalistic farming that they do.
Usually known for their fierceness, the Masais are also a colourful people and it is possible to be friends with them once they build their faith around. They have been depicted in numerous movies and programmes from around the world.
I have been fortunate to become one o their freinds and to know and learn about them.
Presently me and my friend Kaai Neoli is working on a program called " BACK TO THE BASICS: LIVE LIKE THE MASAIS" and would be interested to showcase to the world their life, society and culture.
Anyone who is interested can contact me directly at "samit.bhattacharya@yahoo.com "
Thanks
Updated Nov 22, 2011
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It is a long tradition with the Maasai warriors to jump. It is said to be a sign of manhood and strength, and is a great competition amongst the young men.
I was absolutely amazed at hoe high they could jump, this guy must be about three feet off the ground from a stand-still position.
We discussed this at length and came to the comclusion that over generation of practicing this art, extra strong muscles must have developed to enable then to carry out such feat!
Updated Feb 25, 2007
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We learned this the hard way:
Thinking we were doing a good thing, we arrived at our first (and last) Maasai village laden down with gifts for the children.
To our delight (and theirs) we were instantly mobbed by dozens of kids screaming with anticipation as they grabbed every pen and candy we produced out of our back-packs.
Suddenly, we heard this commotion, followed by yelling and a "swishing" sound!
From out of a nearby hut area, an elder (supposedly the Village chief", appeared, waving a large stick.
The children quickly dropped to the ground, all in single file the candy we held was confiscated from us and the elder, while waving a stick in the air, made the children hold out their hands while HE distributed the "gifts".
To dsitribute needs certain permission from the elder. It then must be given to HIM for distribution and sharing thus ensuring him as the leader!
Major Faux Pas on our part...
Updated Nov 23, 2006
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The Maasai manyatta or village, is built to strict guide lines. Around the outside is a thick fence made from cut branches to keep the wild animals out. The number of openings in the fence corresponds to the number of families living in the manyatta - each family has their own gate. At night, a barrier is put across the gate to prevent predators getting in.
Each family will have their own dwelling around the outside of the circular central area.
The cattle is driven into the centre courtyard each evening, while the smaller livestock such as chickens, have their own little pen.
Written Jan 7, 2005
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The women will decorate their ear lobes with bead jewellery and gradually over the years they will increase the size of the opening in the ears, until it becomes quite huge, such as this older lady's.
Written Jan 7, 2005
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Even more incongruous is the fact that you have travelled 20 km in a hot air balloonover the African plains. By the time you have climbed out of the ballon and walked across the grasslands - there is a chef standing there cooking your eggs to order and producing the most delightful and paper thin pancakes!
Updated Jan 7, 2005
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After any balloon flight it is customary to toast the captain with champagne, and this flight was no exception. Here is the captain pouring the campagne for us to celebrate a safe landing in the Masai Mara National Reserve!
Written Jan 7, 2005
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We wre given a choice each day of how we would like to do our safari. Did we want a morning and evening safari, or all day out in the reserve. If we chose a morning safari, did we want to come back for breakfast, or take it as a picnic.
I would recommend spending at least one whole day in the park, as you get the opportunity to travel that much further, and see more areas which you otherwise would have missed.
Written Jan 7, 2005
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The nights can be quite chilly here on the African plains, and I was very pleased to find that as aprt of the turn-back service in the evenings, a hot water bottle was placed in our beds. It was certainly very welcome!
Written Jan 7, 2005
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