The Maasai Community

The Maasai Community

Introduction

The Masaai community is Nilotic (belonging to Nile River) ethnic community of East Africa living in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya at the side of the Great Rift Valley on arid and semi arid geographical areas covering about 160, 000 square kilometers. In accordance with census of 2009 the community has total population of about 841,622 people. They have semi nomadic life styles and are one of the oldest communities known to have sustained their native, ancient and traditional way of living. Their distinctive dresses and customs are popular part of their identity. Their traditional language is Maa. Maa is the member of Nilo Saharan language family. The Maasai community is divided onto 16 sections which are known as lloshon among the community. These sections show the cultural diversity among the community itself. The sections are divided depending on civilizing practices, socio-territorial systems and conventional livelihood. These sections include:, Ilkeekonyokie, Iloitai, Ilpurko, Ilkisonko, Ildamat, Ilwuasinkishu, Ilmoitanik, Isiria, Iloodokilani, Iloitokitoki, Ilarusa, Ilkankere, Ilmatatapato, Kore, Parakuyu, and Ilkaputiei.

Discussion

Socio-historical Context

The Masaai community, originated from the lower Nile Valley situated in Lake Turkana near north-west Kenya. The migration of community began somewhere around the fifteenth century. There cultural origin remains intact with the former ones. Due to migration the Masaais have held a significant position of being southern most Nilotic speakers.

Studies related to traditional linguistics and genetic relationships demonstrate the information and genetic connection of Masaai community with their neighbors known as Afro-asiatic ,three thousand years ago.

Masaai community has a great reputation on war fronts. They are known as fierce warriors. The young males of the community are prepared through tough warrior hood lessons in order to make them strong and responsible so that ,they can ensure the protection of both themselves and their community (FitzGerald, 2008). They are well reputed for their courage and bravery and are never seen without spears that are sharply horned. They protect livestock from wild animals, Homestead and community from the potential dangers. The oldest considered Masaai set of warriors has been known to initiate in 1960, they were known as Lkasurutia men and have known to inherit the way they acted, thought, prayed, speak and fight from people who sauntered the Sinai Mountains and coast of the Nkishon River.

There nomadic way of life has been associated with their ancestors. The migration that brought them here has not managed to alter their nomadic lifestyle. The nomadic lifestyle has led to no attachments and love for possession among the indigenous people. They are bounded with the feeling of togetherness and ritual bonds. That is why they have succeded in sustaining and prospering their cultural values in the present world. The community faced strong currents of modernization which they successfully counteracted with. They successfully managed to sustain their traditional norms and values and still live the way there ancestors have told them to. The togetherness has taken them to the level of eliminating sexual jealousy. When a young male reaches adulthood he is allowed to have ...