Maasai

In their traditional life style the Maasai live with the animals of the planes. They herd their goats and cattle with the zebra and the wildebeest and the lion. So they are part of the ecosystem. Therefore, I’ve included the Maasai people as part of the Safari series; these were taken just outside the Serengeti Park’s boundaries in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. 

While on the surface their way of life seems unchanged, like many around the world, theirs is under threat.  According to our guide, they no longer make the beads they form into bracelets and necklaces nor their clothes, preferring to import these from China.  Traditionally the Maasai measured their wealth in terms of the number of cattle and children.  But now many seek currency to pay for their children’s education or clothing. While education is viewed as a positive step it is transformational and that means real change to the Maasai culture and with that will identity follow?

In the village we visited everyone seemed very happy; there was a lot of laughing.  People were well dressed and appeared in good health. 

Maasai Village

A typical village, surrounded by a fence of sticks often coupled with thorney branches to keep lions out. In the traditional structure their huts are adjacent to the inner walls leaving the centre open to hold and protect their cattle at night.

Maasai Huts

Maasai Woman

Everyone was laughing a lot.

Maasai Dance

Maasai Jumping Dance

Maasai Herders

Leaving village to herd their cattle

Maasai Herders

In the distance, Maasai herd their cattle among the other animals of the planes.

Cara

Our Maasai Guide through the village. Cara is 26 years old, has 3 wives and six children. Maasai measure their wealth in terms of number of cattle and children. He seems to be well on his way.