10 Interesting facts about the Maasai tribe : Tanzania is a nation that has a lot of surprises. Everything from the well-known national parks to the beautiful landscapes, the breathtaking volcanic peak, the serene water locations, and the shorelines. The nation has a wide variety of attractions that make visitors wild. But during the past few years, one significant component of the nation the Maasai Tribe has become increasingly popular with tourists from around the world.
Without a cultural excursion, a safari vacation to the nation is not complete. A cultural safari in Tanzania is all about learning about the Maasai Tribes’ way of life, rich heritage, and vibrant culture.
There are over 120 ethnic tribal groups in Tanzania, however the Maasai Tribe is the most notable one when discussing tribal life there. Maasai tribes, which have settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania, are semi-nomadic tribal groups that continue to practice their ancient customs.
To learn more about the Maasai People, consider the following Maasai Tribe Facts:
God has given them all the cattle.
Since the beginning, there has been an unmistakable relationship between cattle and the Maasai. These ancient tribal cultures rely on cows not only for milk, but also for many aspects of everyday life and ritual.
They engage in cow raiding, which is stealing livestock from their neighbor, since they believe doing so will benefit the family financially. Cattle play a significant role in numerous rites, including the birth ceremony.
They are lion hunter.
The Maasai are renowned for their strength, courage, and might. They have a reputation as a warrior tribe. They must learn the skills to hunt them when necessary because they are always surrounded by large, ferocious predators, like lions.
Olamayio, or a group of people going for lion hunting with their traditional weapon, is how they typically hunt lions. The Maasai warriors occasionally go lion hunting alone, but the more senior Massais forbid it. After killing a lion, the Maasai typically leave a mark on their chest as a sign of the slaughter.
However, they are not hunting lions anymore but while needed they will hunt the lions.
After death rituals.
African continent of origin In the fifteenth century, Maasai people moved to the south and east, and in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, they spread to central Tanzania and northern Kenya. These well-known tribal groups carry out each task in a distinctive manner.
They practice fairly simple funeral rites because they don’t think in the hereafter. The deceased person’s body is simply covered in oxblood by Maasai, who then leave it in the bushes for predators to consume. Predators used to consume blood because it attracts them with its smell. Maasai’s thinks the body might attach to the deceased person’s surviving family if the body is still standing after the second night and hasn’t been eaten by predators.
They are nomads.
This tribe, the Maasai, often lives a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. They want to move around rather than live permanently in one spot. They proceed to move. The Maasai tribal people typically moved from one location to another in the past in search of pasture land for their livestock. The tribal members continue to uphold the ritual. Few individuals now, meanwhile, still favor residing in a developed village.
The wealth is measured in terms of cattle.
The Maasai of East Africa traditionally partner with cattle. The pastoralist Maasai developed one of the most dynamic indigenous cultures on the continent, with an economy and way of life that were closely entwined with their herds of cattle.
The cows are the most crucial aspect of their existence. They count the number of cows rather than measuring wealth in terms of money or other tangible goods. Wealthy people are those who own more livestock. Even a man’s quantity of cows is important in getting him married.
There are about one million of them.
In fact, you may find a lot of Maasai people in the Great Rift Valley, southern Kenya, and northern Tanzania. Nearly one million members of the Massai tribe live in Kenya and Tanzania, taking up roughly 160,000 square kilometres of space.
The tribal settlements, which continue an ancient tradition, are one of the most significant aspects of a Tanzania safari since they display a rich heritage of rituals and beliefs.
Their clothing & ornaments.
The eye-catching nature of their attire and jewelry matches that of their distinctive way of life and traditions. Each colour people choose to wear has an effect on how they live their lives and what they believe. They typically do traditional robes, which they refer to as “Shuka,” which serve as their trademark. Their attire is typically crimson. They think that crimson makes lions scared.
Another essential component of Maasai attire is ornaments. Male Maasai often wear belts and necklaces in addition to ankle bracelets. The Maasai women dress in an array of bangles and large, flat collars with colorful and pattern-specific beadwork. These jewelry items are typically composed of beads.
They don’t eat meat but drink the fresh blood of the animals.
Maasai people used to consume blood on important occasions in accordance with long-standing customs. Typically, they take blood from cows. They think that having new blood will help them recover from any injuries and provide their bodies with the nutrients they need.
They used to rope the cow’s neck, and then a Maasai man would shoot an arrow at close range, piercing the cow’s neck, and then collect the blood in a gourd. They may mix milk with the blood they drink or consume it fresh.
Maasai jumping dance fact.
One of the main characteristics of the Maasai tribe, also known as the Adumu, is the jumping dance. The man is the only gender who does this dance. They have the chance now to demonstrate their power and skill. The Maasais hold the view that a person is stronger if they can jump as high as they can. As a result, it has a special place in their culture.
They have learned to live with the lions and other predators.
Don’t forget to visit these warriors living in Tanzania if you are planning a safari in Tanzania. Maasais are among the bravest people on the earth and one of the planet’s oldest tribes. They have acquired the ability to coexist with wildlife and nature. Maasai people have mastered the art of coexisting peacefully with ferocious predators like lions throughout the course of their long history of living in a land where this is possible. Maasai people jump, dance, and live in harmony with nature.
Therefore, if you are considering a Tanzania safari, don’t forget to stop by a Maasai community and learn about their long-standing customs. Tanzania Destinations are not just about seeing the national parks; they also involve learning about the magnificent nation’s history, cuisine, and culture.
