By Josh Hill

Posted: 11th March 2015 12:26

The Maasai area semi-nomadic people originally from the Nile Valley. They are almost completely reliant on cattle for survival and migrated south to the Great Rift Valley, where they now call home, in search of better pasture land; the Maasai still migrate between the highlands in the dry season and the lowlands in the wet season. Attempts by the Kenyan government to develop Maasai lands is endangering their way of life, and more and more Maasai people can be found working in cities throughout Kenya. For now however, the Maasai are known for their traditional culture, and as a living symbol of Kenyan history.
 
The Maasai are recognisable by their colourful bead jewellery, stretched ears and their traditional shúkàs (shawls). Most shúkàs are red, symbolic of blood and bravery; the Maasai is one of the last warrior cultures and bravery is prized above all else. Warriors are the most prestigious people in society accorded special privileges like growing their hair, which they also stain red with ochre. Some shúkà have a distinct tartan pattern with a secondary colour, likely brought to Kenya by Scottish regiments of the British Army in the 19^th Century. Women typically choose green as their second colour, symbolizing the land and the nourishment it brings, while men wear blue symbolizing both the sky and cattle. Cattle are their main source of life for the Maasai; the measure of wealth and status for men, and tending the cattle is an exclusively male preserve. Cattle are so important that they are rarely killed for meat, although their blood is drank as a source of protein; goats and sheep are eaten more often.
 
Maasai culture has a difficult relationship with the rest of the world, as their way of life is increasingly incompatible with modern life. Lions, buffalo and elephants are traditionally the biggest threat to Maasai society and their warrior class is built around the idea that killing these animals is prestigious and brave. This has led to the Maasai being denied access to National parks and Game reserves; often areas with the best grazing land and water supplies. As a pastoral society free movement and access to water is essential to their survival and the Maasai are becoming increasingly impoverished as their land shrinks and droughts worsen. Education has also meant that boys are no longer able to fulfil their traditional role of tending the cattle in the day, and many are leaving behind traditional life to take jobs in the city.
 
As with any tribal culture there are huge differences between tribes in different locations, and some traditional tribes carry on outlawed traditions like cattle raiding and female circumcision. Other tribes are adapting to the modern world in order to survive, and tourism is one way in which the Maasai can avoid destitution. Many Maasai people allow visits to their homes, often showcasing elements of their traditional culture like dancing, or selling traditional jewellery. Some only allow day visits, while others will provide meals and overnight shelter in basic accommodation. Many of these trips are staged for tourists and will provide a stereotypically watered down experience, but others out of the tourist areas are more authentic; make sure you have a reputable local guide when visiting any Maasai camp off the usual tourist route. The money from tourism can help the whole community, by building schools and allowing the most vulnerable in society like widows to earn a living by selling jewellery. In other places the money goes to less charitable people, so always research a camp and see where the money is going before visiting.