Sometime at the end of the 19th century, our Maasai leader or “Laibon” by the name of MBatiany had two sons: Senteu and Olonana (aka Lenana). After MBatiany died there was a struggle for power as to who would be the next leader. Lenana sought collaboration from the British in a bloody war that resulted in Senteu and his followers surrendering and migrating to Tanzania.  The internal dispute and treaties with the British around this era resulted in the loss of a major portion of our land.  With the exception of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area were our people are allowed to live, most of us we were forced to relocate to less fertile areas outside many of the currently protected areas dedicated to National Parks, including Tsavo National Park and Amboseli National Park, formerly known as Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve. 

 

Our Maasai culture now exists in the semi-arid lands of two countries in African: Kenya and Tanzania, with the majority of our people living in south Kenya and north Tanzania. We are the only people allowed to cross the border with no passport or document in hand. Our traditions, ceremonies and behaviors are very similar in both lands. We have a semi-nomadic lifestyle and can walk endless kilometers day and night. Our bright shawls or “shukas” have replaced the animal skins we used to weare and sandals now made from old tires were previously made from cow leather. We co-exist with wildlife, are known for herding cattle and goats and measure each other's wealth by the number of cattle we own. An exception on how we differ is the beaded ornaments we use around our neck, head, ears, hands and feet. They are a bit diferrent in their design and also typically white in Tanzania and both white and colored in Kenya. There are also differences in the marks in our bodies. In the Loitokitok district in Kenya, men typically have a mark in each of our cheeks. The more educated we are, typically the less and the smaller the holes in our ears. Many of us have marks in our arms and legs, which we have imprinted with hot wire as young boys when herding our goats and sheep.

 

In our culture, men are the most powerful, own animals, property and don’t fear our women. Our Mothers and girls cook, prepare tea, milk our animals, fetch water, work in the tomato fields, nurture the children (typically 9 to 11 per mom) and look after all Morans in Manyattas. Our boys herd goat and sheep and have a bit more time on their hands. Our Elders trade animals in the town markets, harvest maize and tomatoes and sometimes have businesses. As Morans in the Loitokitok district, we look after the cattle belonging to our Elders and cattle migration from May to October in search for greener pastures.