How the Maasai tribe defines their relationship with cows

 

The Maasai tribe

          

Even though history demonstrates that slavery and colonialism have split and killed numerous ethnic groups and tribes on the African continent, certain prominent tribes continue to have an impact due to their rich traditions, culture, and legacy. Among the African tribes that have survived are the Maasai.

 

They are among the most well-known African tribes that continue to practice ancient traditions. The term "Maasai" refers to those who speak the Maa language. They are, without a doubt, one of the most intriguing ethnic groupings in Africa.

 

Originating in the Nile region of North Africa, the Maasai people are primarily found in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania in the Great Rift Valley. The core of Kenyan and Tanzanian culture is embodied by the Maasai, who now number close to a million and live in an area of about 160,000 square kilometers.

 

They traveled thousands of kilometers south from the beginning of the fourteenth century until the start of the twentieth. During the long journey, the Maasai either confronted or enslaved the tribes they encountered or integrated them.

 

In the twentieth century, diseases linked to cattle and epidemics devastated the populace. However, the Maasai are semi-nomadic shepherds whose primary means of subsistence is the herd.

 

The Maasai have a long history and have traveled widely throughout the past, making them famous warriors. The various phases of a man's or woman's life are described in this section, along with important life changes that are marked by ornate ceremonies and rituals.

 

Clothing is an essential part of Maasai culture, starting with the women's traditional, colorful, and beaded attire. Despite the lures of technology, the Maasai people maintain their ties to Africa's ancient past. For this reason, meeting and getting to know them is a must on any trip to Tanzania and Kenya.

 

The "manyattas," or Maasai settlements, are composed of small groups of dwellings built from tree branches and cow dung. When they migrate, the natives burn their villages, and when they opt to stay, the women construct new ones while the men tend to the animals and the safety of the camp.

 

Most of the males in the tribe have been influenced by the values of brotherhood, loyalty, and self-defense. When they reach an appropriate age, usually eighteen, the males are sent out on their first hunt and must prove their virility.

 

In addition, the Maasai believe that "Ngai," the principal deity and king of the rain, made cows specifically for them since superstition and religious beliefs are especially prevalent in Africa. Thus, cows, wherever they may be in the world, belong to them.

 

Therefore, since they believe that those cows were taken from them, they consider it right to steal those cows back if they can. Therefore, protecting their animals from invaders and trying to take control of others are the main goals of their entire combat experience.

WHY THE MAASAI TRIBE BELIEVES ALL COWS BELONG TO THEM

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 surviving tribes of Africa is the Maasai.

They are one of the most popular tribes of Africa, which 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 maintain 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 up with 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 their livestock from encroachment and trying to take possession of others.

INCEST, IS IT NO LONGER AN ISSUE OF TABOO?

A brother marries his sister.


Superstition, beliefs, and performing rituals are associated with many tribes and ethnic groups in different parts of the world. For example, Saturday is the Sabbath for the Jews. 


It is a day for religious services and abstinence from work. Clans, tribes, and people who carry out traditional values believe in punishment when the law is broken.

One belief that from ages people have considered taboo is incest. Sexual intercourse between very closely related people. But as the generation advances, some of these taboos are no longer taken into consideration. How serious is the act of incest, by the way?

Incest is a common issue these days, even though it is illegal or prohibited. Just imagine a father having sex with his own daughter. A mother making love with his son. 

What about a brother making love with his own sister and vice versa? These acts people consider abominable, used to be a hidden matter, but are now mostly a public issue.

"I don't see anything wrong with this. People look at us like we are from a different planet. I love my sister, and we have a baby now". Here are the words of a young teenager who is defending his actions. The question is, does incest pose any health hazard? 

The Holy Bible speaks against incest in many ways. Also, most social scientists believe that children from incestuous affairs have higher risks for hereditary disorders.