Maasai. <funny story>

Maasai are one of the 127 tribes in Tanzania, but one of the more well-known tribes. They are known for their beautiful beadworks, their precious cows, and of course, their jumping. We have read so many books on Maasai to understand their culture, their traditions and to give us insight as to the problems they are facing with the government today.

What is truly capitavating about the Maasai is with the constant changes of the western world, which does impact the other tribes, the Maasai somehow pass through these centuries completely unchanged, uncompromised. They are exposed to the western world, in fact, most of them get jobs in the western world to help support their village, but yet, they still remain the same.

Maasai are truly some of the most clever individuals I have ever met. Most of our friends are here are Maasai, they speak 7+ languages, but yet most have never been to school in their life. Their minds seem to operate on a different level, which I admire, especially here in Africa. Extremely clever & inquisitive.

They make excellent security, and have been known for this for decades. They are generally very tall & thin, and hardly ever seen without their club or spear. They are extremely friendly also, its nearly impossible to walk the beach here without them joining you for part of your walk.

The government a few decades ago stepped in & banned "maasai warriors". Becoming a warrior is a big portion of a males life, usually about a decade long, where he becomes a man. During this period of time, they only hang out with other warriors and basically act like tribal thugs in this time. And, during this time, they used to have to kill a lion, in order to become a "true warrior". They still practice this "warrior-militant-thug" stage, but in secret. The government has also banned the "clitorectomy" ceremony, which, I fully agree with, however we hear it is still very much practiced amongst the villages.

Currently, the government in Tanzania is pushing the Maasai off the Ngorongoro highlands, to enlarge the protected area for a game controlled area & tourism. So, the indigenous Maasai are being evicted from their home, that has been their home for centuries. This breaks my heart, but I do understand the Maasai populationi is growing and so is the issue with the trash.

FAVORITE MAASAI STORY:

Anyway, here is one of my favorite Maasai stories:

Lots of Maasai work in the hotels here, especially for security. They do make excellent security and nothing seems more "authentic" than pulling up to your African hotel on your holiday, than to be greeted with Maasai warriors to welcome you. (Even though the Maasai are not even from Zanzibar).

Apparently there was a guest at one of the hotels with an electrolarynx (probably throat cancer?), and the Maasai were 100% convinced this man was a machine. "The white man has turned this guy into a machine. He died but they brought him back to life as a machine. He can't drink water because you cant get machines wet. I think they pour motor oil in him in his room." And another Maasai stating that they saw the family exchanging batteries (probably for a camera), and they immediately assumed these were for his eyes.

The Maasai were truly terrified of this man and the family. Then, afew days later, this guest tipped the staff handsomely, the Maasai were not so afraid of him anymore and reported back, "The machine was a good machine. White man did a good job making him."

Morticia with The Beach Boys.

Maasai will always have you in stitches with laughter. They are incredibly friendly and they exude confidence, which is what I truly believe brings people to them, like moths to a flame. (Perhaps this is how they rangle in all the white european women!) They are so sure in who they are and love to learn about you and where you come from. They strut on a bouncing step, in their traditional shukas, sandals made out of car tires, and always with their Maasai club (for herding). They cannot understand a world with out cows, often they will ask you how many cows you own in your country. Or, even offer your husband cows for you in exchange.

Side Note: After 9-11 attacks, the Maasai offered the United States 14 cows a gesture of compassion, and to bring them peace. The United States accepted the cows, but asked them to tend to them and keep them in their villages.

One day we talked about transgender with them, but I cut the conversation short. I could see their wheels turning and them getting uncomfortable with the thought of this. They do believe in black magic and such, so I'm assuming this is where their minds were going. I felt bad, just like I cannot understand their ways of clitorectomy, they do not understand a lot of our ways either. But their minds go to a darker place, thinking it was black magic involved..

Interestingly enough, as we hear heard many stories of the Maasai, that when a Maasai is put into jail, he will die. Now, this may be a myth, or perhaps they stavre themselves to death, I don't know. But it is understood that Maasai loose their will to live when they are kept inside. They only know life in nature, with their cows.

As many books as I have read to understand their history and culture and as many questions as I drill our Maasai friends with here, I am still so inquisitive of them and their culture.