One of the most memorable aspects of a journey to Kenya and Tanzania is getting an in-depth look at the indigenous Nilotic, cattle-centric people who make their home in the Great Rift Valley: the Maasai. Enjoy these insights, which shed light on their traditional customs as well as the impact modern inventions are having on their daily life.
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Maasai Culture in Tanzania & Kenya
Unique insights into one of Africa's oldest and most distinctive cultures
Maasai Culture in Tanzania & Kenya
Unique insights into one of Africa's oldest and most distinctive cultures
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Maasai Tradition
Three male rites of passage of the Maasai community
Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr—three interrelated male rites of passage of the Maasai community—serve to educate young boys about a man’s role in society, transmit indigenous knowledge to the younger generation and induct them into three stages of development: morans, young elders and senior elders. This short documentary from UNESCO explains the history and significance of this longstanding tradition. Runtime: 10 min.
Beads tell stories of Maasai culture
In Kenya, young people are the biggest buyers of traditional Maasai beadwork. DW’s Edith Kimani visits women in the village of Oloolotikoshi—just outside of Nairobi—to find out more about the craft and its significance. Runtime: 3 min.
Maasai in Today's World
My invention that made peace with lions
In Maasai communities, cattle are all-important. But, as conservation efforts succeed, lion attacks are growing more frequent—it's fast-becoming a plague for many Maasai communities. In this inspiring TED Talk, 13-year-old Richard Turere shares the solar-powered solution he designed to safely scare lions away. Runtime: 7 min.
The Maasai TikTokers wowing Bollywood fans
Kili Paul and his sister Neema are hits on Instagram and TikTok with their Bollywood lip-syncing videos. The BBC pays a visit to their home in a small village in rural Tanzania to find out the secret of their success. Runtime: 2 min.
Go Deeper
The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior, An Autobiography
An autobiographical memoir revealing the traditional childhood, adolescence and coming of age of a Maasai warrior on the plains of the Serengeti. It also touches on the author's experiences as a park ranger and his journeys abroad. By Tepilit Ole Saitoti.
Documentation of Maasai Culture
Drawing on research conducted in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this report affords a window into fundamental aspects of Maasai culture, profiling: the day-to-day life of a married Maasai woman; the Maasai ceremony, Org’esher, where male Warriors transition to Elders; the potential for sustainable cultural tourism; and finally the challenge of a growing Maasai population in a protected area. By Jennifer Sharp and Laangakwa Twati.