The Maasai essays

The Maasai essays Geographical Location: East Africa, in Kenya and Tanzania Neighboring Tribes: Samburu, Baraguyu (Ilumbma), Wa-Arusha, Njemps. Geographical sections of Maasai land: Ilkinsongo (largest), Ilpurka (2nd largest), Iloitai, Ilmalapato, Iloodokilani, Ilkeekonyokie, Ilkaputiei, Ildamat, Ilsiria, Ilwuasinkishu, Ildalalekutuk and Ilaitayiok. Each section has its own name, territory, dialect, ceremonies, ways of building houses and kraals and leadership authority. Staple food: Milk, ghee, meat, blood of cattle, various herbs and plants. 1) Lengipaata A ceremony boys undertake just before circumcision. 2) Emorta It is the circumcision ceremony. It initiates boys into warrior hood. 3) Eunoto It is the graduation of warriors into elder hood. 4) Olngesherr Confirmation of total elder hood. Four major stages of a Maasais life: 1) Ikera Youth (before circumcision). 2) Emarota Youth (after circumcision). The Maasai are a close-knit society, where every member is just as important as another. Uncircumcised youths (Inkera) are responsible for herding and well fare of the cattle, the most important commodity of the Maasai. Circumcised youths (Emorata), eventually become the warriors (Ilmoran), who are totally responsible for protecting the tribe from rivals and other dangers such as lions. However, the Elders (Ilpayiani) are probably the most important people of all in Maasai society. Highly respected, the respect reserved for them is unsurpassed. They take all major decisions for the clan. Only elders are present for the meetings where decisions are taken. A non-elder is present only if the meeting is about that person. When a senior warrior prepares himself for his new life as an elder, he is told, Now that you are an elder, drop your weapons and use your head and wisdom instead and Master the are the tongue and wisdom of the mind. A new junior...