Page 17 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

ISSUE TWO | SEPT/OCT

o tame the heart of a cattle, goats and sheep and go I recently learned that they
warrior, he or she must be through a transition to become resisted western-style education
convinced that what they warriors known as Moran and later mainly because they were told
Tare trading it for has greater transition again to become part of that education would make them
value. the elders. wealthy, but they knew, I suppose
what many African cultures did not,
The Maasai as a people with A people who are unilimited in that they were already wealthy in
a powerfully visual cultural perception of physical space, their own right. In terms of culture
representation have endured they ranged far and wide, raiding and lifestyle.
for so long because within them cattle and wives from some of Certainly, no other people group in
was programmed a dominion, the local communities, seeking Eastern Africa, has captured the
firerceness and independence ideal pasture for their great herds. imagination and attention to the
that they saw value in and refused Cows, they said, were Enkai’s extent that they have. In Kenya,
to let go of. That’s their strength, own gift to them and therefore all they have become a national
that’s their power and that’s their the cows belonged to them. They symbol. Their shield design
beauty. To remain steadfast in a had a wide range for pasture for appears on the flag and coat of
culture despite external pressure their huge flocks, co-existing with arms of the country, they are a
to conform, to pursue what no other wild animals easily and were bona fide tourist attraction and
can see, to remain constant and uninterrupted, because their even have markets named after
endure changing circumstances, fearless nature enabled them to them and entire roads, natural
while remaining distinct. live out a dominion over creation features and regions named from
The Maasai people of Kenya and that many gave up way too easily Maasai names.
northern Tanzania are the semi- under the influence of colonialism. What happened to the Maasai is a
nomadic, pastoralist nation known This is not to say that they were stark example of the limitations of
for their fierce warriors, their herds unaffected, no. Like many other national borders and boundaries,
of cattle, their ability to face down indigenous communities in Africa, of the restrictions of the thinking
a pride of lions and take a portion the Maasai experienced the of the west and of policies that are
from their kill, the rite of passage trickery and connivances of the inflexible with regard to cultural
that involved the killing of a lion, colonialists and ceded about 60 needs. However, almost 60
their migratory ways, diet of meat, per cent of their land in a series of years after independence, they
milk and blood and their unique treaties, without full understanding have maintained and defended a
dance signified by leaps into the of what it meant to them as a unique culture, and despite great
air. They migrated from the north, people. The prime rich land loss, they remain with their eyes
around Lake Turkana, assimilating went, of course, to white settlers fixed on an identity that they hold
or displacing the other people and resulted in an inhibition and to be true and strong. I’m not
groups along their path and taking restriction of movement by a saying that they are perfect, but I
up some of their cultural practices colonial government that was see the beauty in remaining. For
like the age-set system and ritual determined to tame them. This me the Maasai remain a symbol of
circumcision. Over time, their happened following a very painful the liberty we are all in danger of
territory was so vast that it covered period for the Maasai, when utterly losing if we don’t take care
the entire Great Rift Valley and its almost all their cattle and between to safeguard it.
surrounding areas. They resisted 50-60% of their population died of
the slave trade and the colonialists disease and the effects of drought If there is one thing that the Msingi
were wary of them. in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Afrika Magazine team love about
The sickness and drought also the Maasai, it is the Abrahamic
The Maasai are monotheistic, affected the wildlife and reduced pastoral pattern of faith that makes
believing in and worshipping Enkai. their populations greatly. a man walk away from chasing
They have a patriarchal structure, after the shadows of this world’s
with the male elders making the Later on, campaigns were run system and embracing a tent
major decisions for each group. among the Maasai to encourage lifestyle. It’s golden and it’s divine.
They are a polygamous people them to stop female circumcision,
and believe that both children to send their own to school and
and cattle are their wealth. Their to take up more agricultural
women build their houses, the practices and to stop the killing of ADD TO THIS ARTICLE
social system requires their youth lions as a ritual demonstration of Please share your comments about this
to go through a ritual transition courage among those who would artucle on our website or share your
from childhood to adulthood via be Morans (warriors). These thoughts with us directly. Reach us at:
circumcision. The boys herd the things have happened gradually.
wehearyou@msingiafrikamagazine.com
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