10 Interesting Facts About the Maasai Tribe

The Maasai tribe is one of the most well-known indigenous groups in Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania. If you ask most tourists who have previously visited either country which local tribe they are most familiar with, they will likely mention the Maasai. While they are not the only indigenous group that adheres to traditional beliefs, they are among the most visible and widely recognized.

Their rich culture, distinctive dress, and deep-rooted traditions have made them a subject of global fascination. From their warrior heritage to their unique social customs, the Maasai way of life is truly remarkable. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 facts about the Maasai tribe that you may not have known.

1. The Maasai Have a Strong Warrior Culture

The Maasai people are known for their courage, strength, and warrior traditions. In the past, young Maasai men, known as moran, were trained from an early age to hunt and protect their families and livestock from predators. One of the most famous warrior rites of passage was the lion hunt, where a young man had to kill a lion using only a spear to prove his bravery. However, this tradition has been largely abandoned due to wildlife conservation efforts. Despite this change, the Maasai still hold onto their warrior identity and continue to instill values of bravery and resilience in their young men.

2. The Maasai Drink Raw Cow Blood

Drinking raw cow blood may seem unusual to outsiders, but for the Maasai, it is an important cultural practice. The blood is typically collected from a live cow in a painless process and is consumed during special ceremonies, such as births, circumcisions, and weddings. It is believed to provide strength and nourishment. While once reserved for significant occasions, blood drinking has now become a more common practice whenever an animal is slaughtered.

3. The Maasai Measure Wealth by Livestock and Children

In Maasai culture, wealth is not determined by money but by the number of livestock and children a person has. Cattle, goats, and sheep are vital assets, as they provide milk, meat, and trade opportunities. Having a large family is also seen as a sign of prosperity. Even with the modern understanding of family planning, many Maasai still prefer having large families. A man with a lot of cattle but no children is still considered poor, and vice versa.

4. Maasai Women Are Responsible for Building Homes

Unlike in many other cultures, Maasai women take on the responsibility of constructing their family homes. Their houses, known as enkangs, are built using sticks, mud, and cow dung. The roofs are made from dry grass and additional sticks. These structures are designed to be temporary, as the Maasai are semi-nomadic and move with their livestock in search of fresh grazing land.

5. Men and Women Have Distinct Roles in Society

The Maasai have well-defined gender roles. Men are primarily responsible for herding livestock, hunting (in the past), and protecting the community. They also build the fences around their villages to keep wild animals out at night. Women, on the other hand, take care of household duties such as cooking, raising children, and fetching water. Despite these traditional roles, Maasai women have begun to engage in education and entrepreneurship in modern times.

6. The Maasai Love Singing and Dancing

Music and dance play a significant role in Maasai culture. Their performances are rhythmic and involve a call-and-response style of singing. One of the most iconic aspects of Maasai dance is the adumu, or jumping dance. Young men compete to see who can jump the highest while keeping their bodies straight. Women also participate in the musical celebrations by rhythmically shaking their elaborate bead jewelry to create a melodic sound.

7. Wealth is Inherited Among the Maasai

In Maasai culture, wealth is passed down from generation to generation. Before an elder passes away, he gathers his sons and distributes his livestock among them. The younger sons then give a portion of their inheritance to their eldest brother, who becomes the head of the family. This system ensures that family wealth is preserved and managed according to traditional customs.

8. The Maasai Did Not Traditionally Bury Their Dead

Unlike many other cultures, the traditional Maasai did not bury their dead. They believed that burial was harmful to the soil and instead practiced a form of sky burial. The deceased would be left in the bush, covered with animal fat or blood, for scavengers to consume. This practice was based on the belief that death marked the absolute end of a person’s journey. However, in modern times, more Maasai have adopted burial practices influenced by external cultures and religions.

9. The Maasai Have a Distinctive Traditional Wardrobe

The Maasai are easily recognizable due to their vibrant attire. Both men and women wear shúkàs, which are colorful red or blue cloths wrapped around their bodies. Before the introduction of fabric, the Maasai wore garments made from animal skins. Jewelry, especially beadwork, is an essential part of their identity. Each color and design in the beadwork holds special meaning, often reflecting social status, age, and marital status.

10. The Maasai Practice Polygamy

Polygamy is a common practice in Maasai culture. Marriages are often arranged by elders, and a woman typically marries into her husband’s entire age group. In some cases, men are expected to give up their matrimonial beds for visiting male guests of the same age group, and the wife has the option to join the guest if she chooses. Additionally, Maasai wives are often much younger than their husbands, leading to a high number of widows within the community.