THE MAASAI PEOPLE

Symbol of the noble and pure African warrior, the Maasai is the nomadic pastor par excellence. When he crosses the plain, dressed in a red tunic, spear in hand, braided hair glistening with ointments and dyed red, he occupies the landscape so well that it is difficult to imagine him under other skies. . Indeed, the vastness and beauty of the landscapes seem to have given all their majesty and pride to the Maasai people.

The Maasai arrived in the plains of the Rift Valley around the 17th century, coming from the highlands of Ethiopia then from Lake Turkana.

The purpose of the Maasai, the basis of its culture, its wealth, which governs its way of life, is cattle. The Maasai are first and foremost pastors since their God, Engai, made them owners of all the cattle on Earth. They therefore consider it legal to occasionally raid the herds of other Maasai tribes or villages (these practices disappear because raids are prohibited by the government). So that's why these nomadic pastoralists are also warriors. This is how these two antagonistic symbols coexist in their traditions: the shepherd symbol of peace and the warrior.

The harmony of the Maasai with nature is perfect, they adapt to all the climatic conditions of their country, drawing from their environment and their cattle their subsistence and any material necessary for their survival. Their diet consists of milk and blood, meat, fat and honey. They have traditional medicine and use many plants, roots or tree bark for healing.

Activité Maasaï aminilife
AMINILIFE activity of the Maasai people

These people have an extremely structured social organization. The supreme authority is exercised by the village chief. Hierarchy levels are organized around age class, clan, livestock control, and physical and moral strength. Roles are defined by custom and the idea of encroaching on the prerogatives of others does not occur to anyone under pain of being diffused by the whole social body.

Women have a preponderant role in everyday life. In fact, they are the ones who build the houses; they collect the water and the wood they need for their families.

The men organize the course of the day every morning and assign each other's tasks. The Maasai are polygamous. Their God blesses those who have many children.

Due to the expansion of modern life, the Maasai have become semi-nomadic or sedentary, however, continuing to travel for miles to graze their herds. If this people have been able to cross the centuries keeping their identity, it is thanks to their visceral attachment to the land and to the cattle. These traditions are passed on orally through the many songs that punctuate each episode of their lives, and through the tales of Maasai legends that are told from an early age to small children.

Le peuple MaasaĂŻ

These people are very welcoming and warm by nature. Despite the evolution of modern life and their obligation to adapt, they remain very attached to their traditions and beliefs.

Meet the Maasai people

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