Cattle herding has been a tradition of the Maasai people of the Ngorongoro and Serengeti for thousands of years. The Maasai are a proud, warrior race that counts cattle and children as their riches. They are having difficulty assimilating into a world that is becoming smaller. The Masai can no longer move their herds throughout the area as freely as they used to. They must limit their activities in order to avoid upsetting the district’s delicate environment and tourism sector.
Ironically, in the past the Maasai did not harm the environment or slaughter wild animals. They lived off the milk, flesh, and blood of their herds. Because they believed that agriculture destroyed the land used for grazing, they were against it. In order to help their government raise much-needed funds and provide training opportunities for their youth, they are now learning how to farm and trade their produce, crafts, and abilities while working with the tourism sector. They are also taking on roles as guides, drivers, trackers, cooks, assistants, and managers.
In exchange for their support of their community, schools, and health clinics, they welcome guests from the camps in the Serengeti National Park. They are welcoming and giving hosts who share their traditional music, dance, and ritual wisdom. As they sing, dance, and perform plays with exuberant delight and pride in the richness of their very different culture, the Morani, or Maasai warriors, stand out with their dramatic red fabric cloaks and spears, which contrast with the opulent bead collars of their children and gap-toothed spouses.
The Maasai people of Tanzania traditionally reside in extended families. The guys are in charge of keeping their cattle safe….. They fence their circular kraal with thorny acacia to deter lions from ravaging their herd. The girls and women build dwellings, called Inkajijik, gather wood and water, and prepare meals while the boys work as herdsmen. Families these days frequently live apart. The girls share the same ambitions as the guys… They are eager to pick up skills and become teachers, cooks, housekeepers and painters.
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