They came to dominate the rift valley as far south as central tanzania. Maa around 1 million hard to take census of 16 sections of people 3. Maasai culture maasai society is patriarchical in nature with the elders deciding most matters for each maasai group. The other key finding is that the maasai s way of life, their rites and beliefs. We, maasai, still have much of our culture, customs, and tradition as we did thousands of years ago. Wherever you go on the east african safari circuit of southern kenya and northern tanzania, the maasai people are a nearconstant presence. Marriages are arranged by the elders, without consulting the bride or her mother.
Roles and status for men social interactions, household duties, political power and rituals are all dictated depending on the age and gender of each individual maasai man. The maasai masai s unique hair is a clear living symbol of their tradition and culture. In the 1550s they moved down along the nile from sudan and egypt and brought with them knowledge on agriculture and cattle breeding. The maasai have a number of patrilineal clans grouped into two classes, or moieties. The maasai wilderness conservation trust mwct and campi ya kanzi have the same mission. The maasai has received the most written recognition of all the tribes of this region of africa and prove to be very interesting to study.
How girls education intersects with maasai culture in kenya. The purpose of this paper will be to explore the use of critical democratic pedagogy through the arts in schools as an educational policy tool to increase critical inquiry, student voice in issues of equity and social justice, and student engagement for maasai youth. Indigenous cultural transition within the maasai of east africa april r. They are among the best known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks of the african great lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress. According to linguistic research, the maa language is hermetic and not one of the numerous bantu languages on the african continent. The maasai tribe culture and tradition is distinctive. The study explored ways in which changing land use and tenure coupled with rapid population growth had affected the livelihood of the maasai. The maasai are well known for their unique culture and tribal dress. The laibon or spiritual leader acts as the liaison between the maasai and god, named enkai or engai, as well as the source of maasai herblore. They speak the maa language from the nilotic ethnic group from their origin in north africa, the nile region.
Maasai people are often viewed as a nomadic tribe who follows their herds to better grazing lands and water. Embracing the culture of the maasai people in tanzania. Although women are still discriminated against, the stereotypes of women obeying and being inferior to men are decreasing, and regularly being challenged in our society. In addition to the maa language, maasai speak official languages of kenya and tanzania. The masai are a semi nomadic people with a reputation of being a fierce warring tribe. A culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people, it is the widening of the mind and spirit, culture is the pattern of human knowledge, belief and behaviour along with attitudes, values, goals and practices within ones family or social group. Maasai culture power, authority and influence essay.
English and kiswahili maasai society has several ceremonies to mark the passage of various stages in life maasai. The maasai have many dances5 for different events their lives. Institut collegial vincent massey collegiate february 20 the maasi people the maasai sometimes spelled a free powerpoint ppt presentation displayed as a flash slide show on id. Pdf this article reflects on implications of a brief ethnographic field trip to visit a remote maasai clan in northern kenya. The maasai people are monotheistic, and their god is named engai or enkai. The maasai people are among the indigenous people hunted by photographers, who found free access into a land filled with exoticism, wildlife and tribal people, where the law to protect indigenous people remains scarce. The popular maasai jumping dance4, where boys leap into the air, is part of the boys rite of passage, when boys become men. By understanding their culture, current water situation, nutrition status. There are around 17 different groups of maasai, and they each speak their own dialect of maa.
The maasai have adapted to the conditions of their environmental through their religious rituals which function in perpetuating their political structure based on agesets, and reducing cattle population numbers. Critical democratic pedagogy through the arts in indigenous. This is still very strong in the maasai culture and it is very difficult for women to voice their opinions. Oct 02, 2011 a small maasai village called matapato, near namanga, has held the latest graduation ceremony for 600 maasai morans where young wives had a chance to test their husbands fidelity in a ceremnony.
Elephants, maasai, tanzania, traditional knowledge, utilization. The maasai are a wellknown ethnic group around the world. In maasai culture, wealth is measured by the number of cows a person has. The maasai speak the maa language, a member of the nilotic language family that is related to the dinka, kalenjin. Further south, pastoral maasai divided into a number of different sections. Maa belongs to a language family that is not related to either of tanzanias offical languages, english and swahili. Began in the north and migrated south 17th and 18th century accumulated most ofpopulation as they migrated to present daylocations 4. Find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. They are also famous for their unique culture and mode of dressing.
Ppt maasai culture powerpoint presentation free to view. Therefore, the facts have been studied critically and with caution. In view of these findings it is even clearer that a. The maasai culture is very different to my australian culture. Just like the maasai in tanzania, the maasai in kenya are being pressured by their government to modern. Maasai people speak the maa language, which is related to dinka and nuer. Just like the maasai in tanzania, the maasai in kenya are being pressured by their government to modern ize and stay in permanent settlements, which makes it difficult to sustain their cattle herding lifestyles. The reason could be that the information came from different maasai villages with different ways of life and the authors may have had different opinions and ideas about the maasai and their culture. Maasai men are born and raised to be warriors, while the women spend most of their time learning to cook, clean, prepare food, and other duties they are expected to perform. Under this system, groups of the same age are initiated circumcised into adult life during the same openinitiation period. Maasai customs and traditions african culture at bellaonline.
Ecotourism based on conservation and sustainability. Associate professor, university of new hampshire, usa the maasai are a wellknown ethnic group around the world. The idea of religion in the maasai culture is bound with the importance they place on the stages of life. The maasai tribe or masai is a unique and popular tribe due to their long preserved culture. In addition, maasai culture has been radically altered as a result both of voluntary acculturation and deliberate attempts to weaken it. Here are 5 things you need to know to get a clearer picture of these fascinating people. The maasai maasai a traditional tribe undergoing change the maasai are traditional, seminomadic pastoralists in east africa. Documentation of maasai culture unesco dar es salaam. From the traditional music and cultures of kenya, a multimedia encyclopaedia dedicated to all kenyan tribes, including music and dance, history, culture, society, religion and beliefs, rituals and daily life, fables, legends, riddles and proverbs. They long to have recognition and dream about the day that it will be their turn to bring home the lion trophy. Culture beginner level this text is licensed under the creative commons attributionnoncommercial 4. Young children find time to join in games such as playing tag, but adults find little time for sports or play. The maasai tribe the maasai are an indigenous ethnic group in africa of seminomadic people settled in kenya and northern tanzania.
Kenyas maasai people have a distinct culture distinct clothes and and habits that make them stand out among people. Masai the masai are a tribe of people who live along the border of kenya and tanzania. Among kenyas maasai, traditional ways are falling to climate change. Maasai culture power, authority and influence essay example. Maasai culture power, authority and influence essay sample. Young boys are sent out to take care of calves and lambs and to. The average maasai man owns at least 15 cows, which means that they are some of the wealthiest people in kenya. The pastoral maasai occupy arid and semiarid rangelands in southern kenya and northern tanzania, collectively known as maasailand. You can face only one direction until the operation is completed. The initiation of a maasai warrior tepilit ole saitoti tepilit, circumcision means a sharp knife cutting into the skin of the most sensitive part of your body. Maasai culture maasai society is firmly patriarchal in nature, with elder maasai men sometimes joined by retired elders, determining most major matters for the maasai tribes. The gender, culture, and power reader explores different approaches to the study and conceptualization of gender, the value and limitations of gender as an analytic category, and the theoretical insights about gender produced by ethnographic research into the everyday lives, labors, loves, and livelihoods of people throughout the world. The number of maasai in kenya is estimated to be approximately 800,000, with about the same number living in tanzania.
Engaging the custodians of tradition and culture brookings. If this could be reestablished, by showing to the maasai the economic value of the presence of wildlife in their land, the future of the land, of the wildlife and of the maasai people will be assured. While maasai may take part in soccer, volleyball, and basketball in school or other settings, their own culture has little that resembles western organized sports. George monbiots book, however, used in the chapter of former. Preamble as you depart from the kenya airport for the outside world, you will notice the big billboards advertising mobile phones with a maasai man balancing on one leg, and in full moraan gear, looking greater than the greatest. Kenya is an iconic african safari destination and home to the maasai tribe. The maasai are a nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern kenya and northern tanzania. Although the farming is practiced only in a part of the tribe, we interviewed them about their past traditional lifestyle, the reason to start.
If you thought laws and policy would positively impact girls education in heavily patriarchal maasai culture in kenya, then you need to think again. Masai was the incorrect spelling of the british settlers and has remained in current use. At loitokitok in rift valley province, the maasai, who are nomadic herdsmen whose diet had traditionally been only beef, have started farming recently. Today, many maasai have given up traditional pastoralism and have adopted agriculture.
Essay the maasai culture and ecological adaptations 3507. In central kenya, pastoral maasai fought, traded with, and married. To understand and document maasai culture in its current form, data was collected under four themes. Maasai culture is unique and their customs are sometimes thought of as controversial. Growing up maasai on the african savanna by joseph lemasolai lekuton.
Polygyny is an ideal that is achieved by most older men. Maasai agriculture and land use change by andrew conroy, ph. The maasai, an indigenous tribe in east africa, have a history with similar. To understand and document maasai culture in its current form, data was collected under. The basic institution of social integration, however, is the system of agesets.
Among kenyas maasai, traditional ways are falling to. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Youll see the brightly colored reds, blues and purples of their shuka sheets worn wrapped around the body, one over each shoulder, then a third over the top of them standing out vividly against the landscape, whether in small mudthatched villages. The effects of globalisation, technology and governance are just as apparent in maasai lives as they are elsewhere. If a maasai man wants to get married, he might have. Ecotourism is about protection of natural resources. The maasai and the lions transcript other young men who dont yet have their lion names are called by the general name of moran. Culture embodies their philosophy, worldview, behavior patterns, arts, and. Their redchecked shukas and elaborate jewellery are a picture of beauty and ageold traditions. Despite education, civilization and western cultural influences, the maasai people have clung to their traditional way of life, making them a symbol of kenyan culture. Photographs of the maasai are frequently at the center of tourist guidebooks, as well as documentary films about east africa and its wildlife. To assist the laikipia maasai in the protection, management, strengthening and promotion of their cultural heritage for their own cultural and economic development promote cultural diversity through documenting, recording, and sharing the heritage of the laikipia maasai i. Maasai tribe masai people of kenya history and culture.
A glimpse into the culture of the maasai the maasai sometimes spelled masai people compose one of the many diverse tribes of africa, occupying much of southern kenya and northern tanzania. By wearing the plaits, it proves the individual is a true morani sticking to their own traditions. These are a few of the preconceptions we bring with us when we hear, see. As a result of their being younger than men at the time of marriage, most women become widows, and it is understood that they should not remarry.
Culture and customs of kenya south african history online. Because the maa society does not have a clear written history, it is difficult to say precisely where it originated. Among kenyas maasai, traditional ways are falling to climate. The author of maasai lj 101580 now offers his life story. The maasai speak maa, a language that they brought with them on their southern migration. The maasai culture and traditions maasai wilderness. In our ecosystem the most valuable resource is the wildlife. Maasai identity in the 21st century uwm digital commons. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of urbanization on the livelihood of the maasai community in ngong ward, kajiado county. Id visited before and fell in love, and my fiancee had always wanted to go. The maasai tribe has maintained its proud culture since it moved into kenya from egypt and ethiopia in the 17th and 18th centuries. A small maasai village called matapato, near namanga, has held the latest graduation ceremony for 600 maasai morans where young wives had a. Spear in hand, they are calm and courageous regardless of the danger.
Summitt abstract the maasai of east africa are excellent examples of indigenous culture in. Maasai not masai is the correct spelling of this noble tribe. Maasai women speak out introduction by ledama olekina a major international movement has developed over the past 20 years to eradicate the cultural practice of female circumcision that takes place in many african and asian countries. Wherever you go on the east african safari circuit of southern kenya and northern tanzania, the maasai are a nearconstant presence. In the past, the maasai and the wildlife simply lived together, in balance. Currently, maasai culture and tradition face more challenges than ever. This migrational wave experienced a peak during the 18th century. The understanding arising from this survey will allow the reader to better. They are forced to suffer hunger and physical pain. This is exactly what maasai wilderness conservation trust does. Many kenyan maasai and some tanzanian maasai now make their living in the tourist industry. Although often perceived as a traditional society, maasai culture, like all culture, is dynamic and changing. Standing proud in the savannah with their red blankets and painted shields, the maasai people have become one of the more widely known. Welcome to kenyas maasai mara and a maasai homestay.
You may copy, share or adapt this material so long as it is not used for commercial purposes. Except for some elders living in rural areas, most maasai people speak the official languages of kenya and tanzania, swahili and english. Current health and environmental status of the maasai people in. The legal perspectives of the maasai culture, customs, and. The masai tribe is a popular and unique tribe because they have preserved their culture for quite too long compared to other tribes. Maasai culture, like any other culture, is a dynamic phenomenon that evolves to adapt to new circumstances and includes a set of values and practices that is associated with a particular way of life. Maasai cultural homestay maasai mara and a maasai homestay.
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