The Maasai tribe of Kenya
I was on my way home from school this evening when I saw several Kenyan's driving cattle across the road. They were wearing a red tunic and carried a heavy wooden staff. They are of the Maasai tribe. They own cattle, sheep and goats. They live in settlements called a Kraal; these are villages of round huts. Maasai woman paint their homes. You may find it a strange fact but the Maasai women build the houses.

These people live all over Kenya and in the North of Tanganyika. In Kenya the tribe is split into about 17 groups and each live in their own territory.

They are called ˜Lords of East Africa. They speak the Maa language and this is spoken differently (dialect) between the groups. Their language has lots of proverbs. This one made me smile. First I will write it in Maa then I into English. Meikitikitoya oloota esumash.This means, You cannot tickle a hungry person because they will not laugh.

They keep cattle, sheep and goats. The Maasai are thought of as the people of cattle. It is what their life is all about. The more cattle a Maasai family has the wealthier they are.

To find good grazing and water for their herds they wonder about finding the best land to feed and water their animals. In the wet season they will keep their cattle on the plains. When the dry season comes they will go to the wetlands in the high lands. These days there are some changes in this life style. Now lots of Maasai grow crops as well as keep herds of cattle. They have a tradition of being great hunters and they do this, even today. The picture shows a Maasai warrior ready to go hunting.

Maasai society is divided into 3 ages. The first age is childhood, the second age is Moran or warrior and the third age is of elders.

Children are greatly valued and loved. A birth is an occasion for celebration. If a child is ill not only is the child s family worried but also is the whole village. Children are seen as the future and success of the community. They have a proverb to show the importance they feel about children. Children are the brightest Star.

If you were a Maasai child you would learn to grow crops, look after cattle, learn about the seasons. You would learn to be a hunter and fire a bow an arrow, throw a spear and make a stout staff. You would learn to fight too. You would learn to jump really high and run fast. You would eat a lot of lamb or goat meat and drink lots of milk.

At night around the campfire the village storyteller would tell you Maasai stories. These are about two gods called the black God and the red god. One is good and the other is bad. There is another story about Maasinta. He was the first Maasai warrior and a very brave fighter too. They have stories about the beginning of the earth and the first man called, Leyio.

The Maasai favourite drink is a special blend of milk and honey.

The Maasai have a great belief in a spirit force called Engai. It governs the universe. It is the rain, thunder and lightning. It is in tribal poems and songs that the Maasai tell of this belief.

I will end this story with a Maasai blessing:

May the calves fill the pens,
May the cattle fill the homestead,
May children play happily,
May the fire always burn.

There is lots of information about the Maasai on any C.D ROM Encyclopaedia. On Webster's there are the following items:
1. There is a short movie,
2. Pictures.
3. Text for you to read.

Ni rafki yenyu,
Bwana Ferguson