The Maasai want to change, live a more modern life, a better and healthier life, but how can they without knowledge and tools? We need to help the Maasai!
Maasai are nomadic herders that immigrated from northern Africa to East Africa in the middle of the 16th century. This most well known ethnic group in East Africa is now located in the Kilimanjaro region, in both south Kenya and north Tanzania. Currently, there are about 1 million, equally divided between the two countries. Originally, they were known as a warriors and shepherds; their culture is mainly based on their cattle.
Even today, the cattle is the most important part of their diet. They feed primarily on the meat, milk and blood from cattle, for their protein and caloric needs. The milk/blood mixture is a traditional specialty. Vegetable dishes are typically not eaten. However, there are also who live outside the protected areas, resort to agriculture for their income, growing wheat, corn, beans, tea and potatoes. The traditional however do not cultivate these but buy them from other tribes.
There are no chiefs or leaders; they are organised by the age group of males. The transitions from one age group to the next are crucial moments in the life of a man and his reputation is very dependent on the number of cattle and women. It is not uncommon for a man to have 50 cattle and five wives. Numerous ceremonies, including the much criticized female circumcision and child marriage, mark their life. We can change this; we need to help the Maasai, and their daughters even more!