The iconic Maasai are one of East Africa’s oldest tribes that arrived in present day Kenya/Tanzania more than 500 years ago.  They are noted for their fierce warriors, colorful adornment and ritualistic ceremonies.  Theirs is a cattle culture whose way of life can be compared to the Native American Indians who lived harmoniously within their surroundings.

 

There are four stages within the Maasai lifespan: 

1.  childhood  2.  circumcision  3.  warrior and  4.  elder

 

Childhood is a time of great freedom.  Until the age of seven, Maasai children have little to do in the family group except play, respect their elders and build their language skills.  Soon, boys are encouraged to associate with men and the labors of herding while the girls are encouraged to associate with women and the labors of domestic duty.  Both sexes are treated with a great amount of care as they approach the second stage of Maasai life.

 

Circumcision takes place during puberty for both boys and girls.  The ceremony marks the initiation into adulthood and serves as proof that they are prepared to endure the challenges of life with courage and dignity.  During the ceremony, the children are ordered to “wake up”; to leave childhood behind and assume adult responsibilities where the girls embrace marriage and childbearing and the boys become warriors.

 

The warriors are essentially the Maasai’s military and serve for approximately 10 years.  To become a warrior is the dream of every Maasai boy.  A warrior must protect his herd from predators, retrieve stolen cattle and safeguard the community.  In addition, they add an immense amount of excitement, adventure and romance throughout the land.  During this stage, the women build a manyatta, which consists of 49 mud homes (bomas) arranged in a giant circle to house all the warriors, their mothers and a few girlfriends.  Connecting the bomas is a fence made of thorny branches to prevent lions from raiding their cattle at night.  This is a sacred place that will house the warriors before they graduate and become elders.

 

Elderhood marks the final stage.  This is a period of responsibility for both men and women resulting in marriage, the building of family and the acquisition of wealth in the form of children and cattle.  Admired and treated with respect by all younger persons, the Maasai elders look forward to an old age not of isolation, but of continued involvement within the Maasai community.*

 

*acquired from text in “Maasai” by Tepilit Ole Saitoti. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. © 1980.