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When Maasai women milk the cows in the early morning, it is still dark. They exchange the day's news while waiting for the calves to drink first. Then, they start milking cows in beautifully decorated calabash containers.
After milking the cows, the women return to their smoky homes. They start to make tea on an open fire. In the past, when the Maasai had more cattle and more milk, women used to make tea with only milk, creating a creamy concoction that could be skimmed of its fat. However, with the changing times, the tea-making process has evolved. Nowadays, tea is made with water, a leaner version, but sugar is used lavishly. The Maasai, not accustomed to eating lunch, consider morning tea as an important meal. The fatty milk tea not only provides sustenance but also keeps stomachs full for a long time, making it a crucial part of their daily life.
The Maasai are well-known pastoralists of Eastern Africa. I had the opportunity to live among them while conducting my research in rural Tanzania. I spent almost a year in a Maasai village (boma), learning about their unique lifestyle and traditions. Many people associate the Maasai with their red shukas and brave warriors who are not afraid of anything - not even a lion. However, Maasai culture is much more than that. I will reveal the most common myths about Maasai culture.
1. Only Maasai warriors drink raw blood.
Not true. Traditionally, the Maasai diet consisted of meat, milk, and blood. Maasai love meat, but they don’t eat it often. Instead, they drink a lot of milk on any occasion. Maasai also use fermented dairy.
The Maasai have a unique tradition of drinking cow’s blood, which is harvested by puncturing the loose flesh on the cow's neck without harming the animal. This process, often misunderstood, is actually non-harmful to the cow. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just the warriors who partake in this tradition, but all members of the community. The blood, rich in iron, protein, and other nutrients, is believed to be beneficial for the immune system.
Maasai women give birth at home. After giving birth, they consume a drink made of milk mixed with blood. It serves as a nutrient-rich beverage after delivery. Blood is consumed by people, especially after giving birth, when they are ill, or after undergoing circumcision. When I contracted malaria and typhoid in the savanna, the Maasai also offered me milk mixed with blood. I humorously referred to the drink as "pinkish cappuccino," as it had a metallic taste, which was not my favorite. Additionally, I have heard that older men use it to recover from hangovers.
2. Maasai are all the same.
No, they are not. Geographically, Maasai people live in Tanzania and Kenya but are not one ethnic group. Only in Tanzania are there 16 Maasai sub-groups with unique dialects, traditions, and habits. For example, some Maasai houses are not round but rectangular. Different Maasai sub-groups have various kinds of fashion and jewelry styles. Some Maasai wear longer shukas and use different fabrics than other groups. My personal experience living among the kisonko (ilkisongo) Maasai in the Kilimanjaro districts and visiting many other sub-groups has given me a deep understanding of their culture.
Have you heard of Corinne Hofmann’s bestseller book and movie "The White Maasai"? It's about the Samburu, another Maasai sub-branch in Kenya.
3. Traditional Maasai culture is not threatened. The Maasai, a people with a rich pastoral tradition, are now grappling with a significant threat to their way of life. For generations, they have herded their cattle across the savanna, a practice deeply intertwined with their culture and identity. However, their ancestral lands, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Masai Mara, Amboseli, and more, have been transformed into National Parks, game reserves, and conservation areas. This conversion has not only disrupted their herding practices but also restricted their access to vital water sources.
The Maasai have been herding cattle in the challenging environment of Eastern Africa for centuries. They have done so in a sustainable way that protects vulnerable landscapes, wildlife, and cultural practices. The Maasai live in relative peace with nature, but they sometimes encounter challenges while defending their cattle from predators. But now, they have been further squeezed off their traditional grazing lands by small farmers and large commercial estates in recent years. If this were not enough, climate change is one of the biggest challenges the Maasai and other indigenous people face in our time because of the rapid and unpredictable weather changes like drought. In recent years, East Africa has been severely affected by drought. According to a Maasai elder, the severity of the drought has been unprecedented. The community has been compelled to sell their emaciated cattle, which are vital to the Maasai people as a primary food source, a symbol of social status, and an integral part of their cultural identity.
The impact of modernization on the Maasai community is profound. The scarcity of grazing land and water sources directly impacts the number of cattle: fewer cattle, less food, and less shelter. Maasai have started planting crops not because they want to but because they don’t have an alternative. In Maasai culture, there is a belief that agriculture is not suitable for nature. As mentioned earlier, the Maasai diet is based on the food they get from livestock, such as milk, meat, and blood, so cultivating changes cultural habits and traditions. Not all Maasai live in savanna herding cattle, and many have studied and chosen to live a modern life in towns and cities. But those who are living the traditional herding lifestyle are struggling to survive.
4. Every Maasai warrior has killed a lion.
Not true. According to urban legend, every Maasai warrior has killed a lion, but it’s untrue, as there wouldn't even be enough lions. However, Maasai warriors must be brave in different rituals and rites of passage.
The Maasai warriors have historically hunted and killed lions using spears to demonstrate their bravery or protect their cattle. When hunting a lion, a group of warriors would work together, and the bravest among them would deliver the killing blow with a spear. In the past, the warrior who made the kill would claim the lion's mane as a trophy, which was worn as a symbol of his bravery. However, hunting lions is now illegal, and nowadays, it is rare for young warriors to encounter a lion directly, with only a few older Maasai men having had this experience.
Let’s go back to the serene Maasai village. After everyone finishes drinking tea, it's time to resume their daily chores. The young uncircumcised boys go to herd cattle, the warriors spend time together, and when the women have packed empty canisters on their donkeys and left to fetch water, the Maasai homestead becomes quiet.
Perhaps one of the co-wives takes on the role of caring for the younger children. The elderly grandmother, fondly referred to as “Koko”, seeks shelter from the intense midday sun under the protective branches of a towering acacia tree, sharing tender moments with her grandchild. The wind stirs up sand and dust, hinting at a storm brewing on the horizon. Yet, the Maasai village, a community bound by unity and cooperation, continues its daily life, patiently awaiting the arrival of the life-sustaining rains.
If the story inspires you, book an immersive and authentic Maasai stay or read more stories about Maasai like 4 Essential Life lessons that I learned while living in a Maasai village in Tanzania. Anniina Sandberg founded Visit Natives, the social travel enterprise, after living among the Maasai in Tanzania. The Maasai community plans and provides all the Maasai stays.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anniina Sandberg is passionate about Africa. She holds a Master of Arts in African Studies and is a Swahili interpreter. Anniina has lived among the Maasai for over a year in a Maasai boma in Tanzania, a turning point in her life. Anniina explores Africa with an open mind to learn more about world cultures.
Follow her on Instagram to read more about her inspiring African stories.
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