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Published: August 6th 2007
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When we were told that it would cost 4000 Shillings per person (or $42 USD/person) to visit the Masai village, Gene and I decided it was time to put our foot down. $84 US dollars seemed a very high price to pay when it cost us only $25 in total to visit the more developed villages of South Africa. Not surprised that even our guide would pretend this was a reasonable price to pay, Gene and I proclaimed to have no more than $42 in cash to our name and informed our guide, Simon, that it would be a “take it or leave it” proposition.
As we pulled up to the scanty Masai village, we were greeted by a young, well-spoken warrior who accepted our $42 without question. Expecting to visit a village at least half as developed as those we saw in South Africa, I was taken aback by the remote village, consisting of less than ten mud-and-stick huts. The Masai village was surrounded by a thick shrub fencing to ward off attacks by predatory animals.
Young tribal warriors performed a welcome dance ceremony, including a jumping competition, at which time Gene and I were convinced that we
could recruit the latest NBA players. Our guide laughed his ass off from our vehicle as Gene and I were thrust into the circle, feeling compelled to join in the dance ceremony. Just when I thought our involvement was complete, I was made to join the female welcome ceremony. Trying my damndest to fit in amongst the African females clad in red, I caught glimpses of the woman next to me, eyeing me from head to toe. I fought hard to keep myself from gawking at the infant papoose affixed to the woman, her little face covered by a runny nose and ravenous flies. Joined in hand with the African women, I realized just how different our cultures are.
Over the course of our visit to the Masai village, we were provided with a plethora of information by our articulate, English-speaking guide, Peter. He took his time showing us around the village, introduced us to tribal members and children, and answered all of our questions. We were thrilled with all we had learned about the Masai culture in such a short period of time.
The Masai people identify themselves as members of their tribe by either removing their
lower two front teeth with a knife, burning their skin, or stretching their earlobes. The women are not allowed to grow out their hair, which is cut close to the scalp with a knife by the men. All tribal members dress in red to ward off any predatory attacks by wild animals. The tribe still defends itself with spears and bow and arrow.
The Masai are a nomadic tribe and can move their villages to suit the grazing patterns of their animals. The huts are built by the women and take approximately three months to complete. They are constructed of mud, cow dung and wood and can survive up to ten years. Each home is equipped with two beds - one smaller bed for the husband and wife and one larger bed for the children. The beds are constructed of the same building materials, with animal hides serving as blankets. There is also a fireplace for hot coal or a small fire for light and warmth. Each hut contains small circular holes in the walls for light and fresh air, and to allow for the removal of smoke from the home. A separate section of the hut houses baby
goats and calves.
Animal hides serve as bedding for warriors who sleep outside of the huts at night (in rain or shine) to guard the livestock from predators. Each night while the men stand watch, the women pass on the tribe’s traditions to their children, including Masai history, dances and crafts.
The village is comprised of 70 tribal members, 25 of which are children. Village chiefs are elected by the villagers every 15 years. The current chief is 75 years of age and has 12 children. The eldest member of the village is a 95-year-old female. Children are born at home with the aid of one of the female elders. Holistic means are used to heal ailments, including Malaria.
The Masai are a religious people and worship only one god. Prayers are said within the village every morning. When a loved one passes, his/her body is buried outside of the village; however, it is believed that the spirit of the deceased lives on.
Males are taught to herd animals by their elders at a very young age. They are also responsible for building fires, which is done the traditional way - with olive branches and acacia.
Females are taught how to make jewelry and ornamental clothing.
Over 100 years ago, the Masai avoided educating their children out of fear of losing their culture. Since that time, however, the tribes convened and decided that educating their children could be of great benefit to the tribe. There are now primary schools, secondary schools and Universities, with teachers from numerous tribes. Young Masai have a choice to leave the village entirely to attend University and return to the village after their education is complete. Most tribal members that obtain a higher education return to the village permanently to practice the original traditions and customs of the Masai.
Males and females are still circumcised - males at age 15, girls at age 12. If the un-anesthetized male cries or moves his fingers or toes during the procedure, he is not believed to be a man and will be considered an embarrassment to his family; he will be precluded from becoming a warrior and will instead be made to stay within the village to partake in female duties.
Before circumcision, the boy is expected to hunt and kill a predatory animal to prove his strength and manhood. Wild
animals are highly respected by the Masai and are hunted only as part of this ritual. The skins of the animals are then worn by tribal members during special ceremonies.
Wild animals are not killed by the tribe as a source of food. The Masai diet consists of cow meat, blood and milk. One big bull is slaughtered at a time to feed all of the villagers. Babies are fed a mixture of cow milk and blood. The blood is obtained by puncturing the cow’s neck in such a way that allows the cow to survive. During the dry season, blood is consumed by both adults and children. The Masai collect their water from nearby rivers and also bathe and wash their clothing there.
Most ceremonies take place during the rainy season, including matrimony. Wives are chosen by the male’s parents and usually range between 5 and 10 in number. When a marriage takes place, the men paint their heads red and the women paint their heads yellow, red and blue. Decorative clothing and jewelry is worn.
Gene and I were invited into the home of a female tribal member whose son was to be married over
the next couple of weeks. In preparation for the ceremony, she was fermenting a barrel of beer, containing various grains and berries. To quench Gene’s curiosity, he was offered a cup of the homemade beer - the same cup that we watched a roach crawl out of inside the hut minutes before. It was only then that I thought to scan my surroundings for more creepy crawlies. Due to the poor lighting conditions, only Gene was able to see the thirty or more roaches making their way on the bed and walls around me. I, on the other hand, sat ignorantly on the bed taking my sweet time in questioning our Masai guide about the nuances of their culture.
When I politely refused a taste of the roach-fermented beer, our new Masai friend insistently held the cup up to my lips and tilted my head back for a nice big gulp.
The things I never dreamed I was capable of doing…
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darby
non-member comment
papa roach
that's skanky. just totally skanky. i loathe insects.