Maasai men and women
Even though history reveals that slavery and colonialism
separated and destroyed many ethnic groups and tribes on the African continent,
there are still some strong tribes in Africa, making a difference because of
their strong traditions, culture, and heritage. One of the survival tribes of
Africa is the Maasai.
They are one of the most popular tribes of Africa, that
still preserves centuries-old traditions in Africa. The name Maasai
means those who speak the Maa language. They are undoubtedly one of the most
fascinating peoples on the African continent.
The Maasai originate from the Nile region in
North Africa, often located in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, along the
Great Rift Valley. Today the Maasai are about one million on an area of about
160,000 square kilometers and are the very symbol of the culture of Kenya and
Tanzania.
Their migration began in the fifteenth century and ended
thousands of kilometers further south at the dawn of the nineteenth century.
During their long journey, the Maasai faced and defeated the tribes they
encountered on the road or incorporated them.
In the twentieth century, the population was decimated due
to epidemics and diseases that affected the livestock. In fact, the Maasai have
always been semi-nomadic shepherds and the herd is the main source of wealth
and survival.
The long history and the great journey over the centuries
have made the Maasai great warriors. This aspect characterizes the different
phases of the life of men, women and the important passages of existence
characterized by complex ceremonies and ancient rituals.
Clothing is an essential element of the Maasai culture,
beginning with the traditional clothes of colors and the beautiful beads worn
by women. Despite the temptations of modernity, the Maasai still maintains
their roots in the millennial history of Africa.
Meeting and getting to know them is, therefore, an integral
part of every travel experience in Kenya and Tanzania.
The Maasai villages, called 'manyattas,' are composed of
small, dark groups of huts made of dung cow and tree branches. When they decide
to migrate, the inhabitants burn their villages and where they decide to stay,
it is the women who rebuild a new one, while the men take care of the security
of the camp and take care of the cattle.
Much of every male of the tribe has grown on the values of
fidelity, defense, and fraternal union. As soon as you reach the right age,
usually eighteen, the males are sent to hunt and on this first occasion, they
must show their virility.
Maasai tribe young girls
Superstition and beliefs are very prevalent in Africa, thus;
the Maasai also believe that ‘Ngai,’ the lord of the rain and the main deity
created the cows, especially for the Maasai. Therefore, cows, wherever they are
in the world, belong to them.
Therefore, have the right to steal them if possible, since
those cows were stolen from them. Thus, their entire combat experience is aimed
at protecting its livestock from encroachment and trying to take possession of
others.
1 comment:
Very enlightening. Thank you.
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