Maasai tribes feel that their society has been given less thought and respect than that of wild animals. Cattle and children are important aspect to the Maasai people.
The
Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along
the Great Rift Valley on semi-arid and arid lands. Maasai own large herds of
cattle, sheep and goats which they follow around seasonally in search of new
grazing grounds and water sources. Traditionally Maasai tribes have been an independent
tribe.
Cattle
and children are important aspect to the Maasai people. Cattle play a
central role in the life of the Maasai. Cattle represent food and power; the
more cattle a Maasai has, the richer he is and therefore the more power and
influence he will have within his tribe. Individual, families, and clans
established close ties through giving or exchange of cattle. While the Maasai traditions
have undergone some changes in the past few decades, their strong
social traditions remain intact.
Here's a quote from the Maasai Association; "When a lion attacks a cow, the authorities from wildlife and conservationist organizations would bury their heads under the sand. When a Maasai warrior kills a lion because of killing his cow, the authorities would ferry security personnel to arrest the warrior. In other words, it is acceptable for a lion to kill a cow but not acceptable for a warrior to kill a lion. Lions are more important than the Maasai cows."
The
Maasai live in Kraals arranged in a circular fashion. The fence around the
kraal is made of acacia thorns, which prevent lions from attacking the cattle.
It is a man's responsibility to fence the kraal. The Inkajijik which is the
maasai word for a house, are loaf-shaped and made of mud, sticks, grass, cow
dung and cow's urine. While women construct the houses. Traditionally, kraals
are shared by an extended family.
The
Maasai are a semi-nomadic people, fierce protectors their tribe, their cattle
and their grazing lands. Maasai struggle to keep their traditional way of life;
it is the wildlife parks that present the biggest problem to the Maasai. The
largest tracts of land that have been taken and protected for the wildlife has
been taken from the Maasai's traditional grazing lands. The Maasai feel that
their society has been given less thought and respect than that of wild
animals.
The
Maasai prayer "Meishoo iyiook enkai inkishu o-nkera" translates to
"May Creator give us cattle and children.” Cattle and children are the
most important aspect of the Maasai people.
