The Massai of the Massai Mara
One of the most memorable experiences was the opportunity to visit the Maasai village where our guides were from. We were so fortunate to have a peek into what daily life is like for the Maasai. Here are some of the interesting things we learned:
- The Maasai are nomads. They live in groups of about 8-15 families.
- They are basically herders, and their primary source of food is their livestock. A typical breakfast consists of milk and cow’s blood. They do supplement their diet with crops such as corn.
- In the past, when a suitor wanted to take a bride, he had to kill a lion. Now that lions are protected, a Maasai warrior has to give a cow each time he wants to marry. The Maasai practice polygyny.
- They live in structures made of cow dung and mud. The women build the houses, and each wife has her own house. The houses are rebuilt as needed when they deteriorate.
- The huts consist of four closet-sized rooms with only a bed and a small chest. There is no electricity or running water. There is a tiny area in the center where the women cook. Because there are almost no windows, the environment is very dark. At the village we visited, a recent traveler donated small solar-powered lights for the women to use in the kitchen.
- The Maasai warriors are trained to jump at an early age. The pictures below show a traditional warrior dance. It’s said that the warriors who jump the highest are the most desirable to the women.
- They used to wear animal hides, but modern Maasai wear beautifully woven fabrics and handcrafted jewelry.
- I was so impressed with all of the Maasai we met at our camp. Not only were they beautiful to look at, they were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and resourceful. The best part of our safari was the people who took care of us in the camps.
