Masai, Maasai, or Masai Maassai

Masai, Masai, Masai Maassai or how you would you like? It's all right. The Masai are a nomadic people who came in 1550, including livestock, from the Nile Valley Kenya and Tanzania, and mostly live in the Serengeti. They are the best-known ethnic group in Africa, what has certainly contributed to the film "The White Masai". There are about a million Maasai, of which about half live in Kenya. The Masai do it very cleverly marketing their culture without giving up the old ways. Where we have always asked ourselves the question: the Maasai living in these huts really, or is it all just show and have their brick houses are around the corner, 1km.No, they have lived in these huts, the idea was only high because the market actually not quite right for the proud people.

The huts are made ​​of dried cow dung. In them it embroiders pathetic, because even small animals live and sleep in the huts. Fences around the huts are often coming in as such protection at night cattle and goats. Both as a protection against theft, as well as for protection against wild animals.

Formerly the Masai warriors and cattle herders, since the activity is no longer in demand as a warrior, he has confined himself to his cattle and the incoming tourists. A real Maasai has at least 50 cattle.

According to the beliefs of the Maasai cattle are all the world to them, they can serve, therefore, everywhere and for everyone. All cattle owners in their eyes, so cattle thieves, which they can steal the cattle if necessary even by force. This leads, of course, then again and again to disputes with neighbors and even wars with other nations. This belief is based on the rain God Ngai, perched on the summit of Mount Kenya.

An important part of Massaikultur are the many ceremonies. The most famous is evident in us that jumping dance of men. The young Masai Morani the jump, while on the spot as high as possible and thus prove their strength. Used to have to kill a young Masai lion before they were allowed to have a wife.

MassaiSchon is the age of 35 be a ceremony to go over with the Morani in the age group of seniors. Hmm should think about it if that is contemporary yet, the Maasai are growing older, all right but they have no lack of children, so may be up for the back. The Council of Elders of the function of the chief, because the there is not in the Masai.

In addition to the number of cattle, the number of women is just as important. Maasai often have five women. The women live with the children in their own huts and the man thinks of the evening with any woman he wants to spend the night. If that's not enough that just goes to his neighbor and asks if he can stay at one of his wife. Refuse is considered rude, since condoms are still rejected, can imagine what it looks like everyone with AIDS.

We were not the visit to the Massaidorf particularly liked, we did not have the feeling of being welcome and somehow we all seemed very made​​. As I said, it would not have surprised me if the Masai after we were out in their cars would be increased and would be moved to their brick house settlement.