Meet The Maasai: One Of The Most Famous East African Tribes

Tanzania is home to many iconic sights. From great herds of wildebeests thundering across the Serengeti Plains to the simple huts of a Maasai Village, an East African safari is sure to be an experience you will never forget. Many Tanzania safari adventures include sightseeing, wildlife viewing, and even a trip to a Maasai village in Tanzania. If you’re curious about East African tribes, learning about the Maasai is a great place to start!

Who Are The Maasai People Of The Serengeti?

The Maasai people belong to a group of East African tribes that originated in the upper Nile Valley. Today, the Maasai can be found in northern, central, and southern Kenya as well as northern Tanzania. Maasai tribe members speak the Maa language and are known for their rich culture, distinctive way of dressing, and their proximity to the national parks and game preserves near the Serengeti.

Five Fun Facts About The Maasai In Tanzania

As of today, the Maasai population in Tanzania is estimated to be around 430,000. The Maasai are well-known for many things, including their colorful clothing, intricately beaded jewelry, and traditional dances – which incorporate jumping contests among tribal warriors.

• The Maasai are nomadic people, meaning that they don’t stay in one place too long.  The tribe relies heavily on the cattle they raise and is constantly on the move to find good grazing ground.  Cattle are incredibly important to many East African tribes, including the Maasai. In fact, the measure of a man’s wealth in the Maasai culture depends on how many heads of cattle he owns!
• The Maasai people speak Maa. This language originated in the Nile region of northern Africa and is considered a “Nilotic” language. The name Maasai simply means “one who speaks the Maa language.” Most members of Maasai tribes can also speak Swahili and English.
• Storytelling is a cherished tradition in Maasai culture. Maasai elders play an important role in passing down oral histories through captivating narratives. The Maasai share their wisdom, beliefs, and values through their stories to ensure that their culture and heritage remain alive and thriving.
• The Maasai people practice a traditional diet that is based on what is available to them in their natural environment. Milk and meat from their cattle form the foundation of their diet, and they frequently consume raw, soured milk – a delicacy in their culture. The Maasai also consume grains, fruits, and vegetables in season. They have a deep knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants and herbs, using them to treat various ailments and maintain their overall well-being.
• Each Maasai village has many warriors. Maasai warriors are famous for their high jumps. However, the jumping is not random – the act, called Adamu, is meant to showcase their strength and attract a wife. The higher a warrior can jump, the more attractive he is to his future bride! Adamu is often performed during a special ceremony called “Eunoto.” This ceremony marks the transition of a boy to the tribe’s warrior class.

The History of East African Tribes In Tanzania

Most of the Maasai villages in Tanzania can be found in the Northern part of the country, near the main game parks such as Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. However, the tribe’s origins can be traced back to South Sudan. According to the Maasai oral history, the tribe began migrating south from the lower Nile Valley in the 15th century. By the 19th century, the Maasai had settled in their current territory. They became well-known for their strength as hunters and warriors as well as their large herds of cattle.

Many East African tribes, including the Maasai, were hit hard with disease, drought, and starvation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While tribal populations eventually rebounded, the Maasai faced new challenges. Today, the Tanzanian government has taken much of the Maasai land for national parks and wildlife reserves and has encouraged the group to abandon their semi-nomadic lifestyle. Still, the Maasai people are committed to their way of life. Today, tourists who visit a Maasai village in Tanzania can learn about the culture and help this tribe maintain their traditional lifestyle.

A Visit To A Traditional Maasai Village

Much of the area within the now-protected Serengeti National Park was originally populated by the Maasai. The Maasai grazed their cattle on the eastern plains of the Serengeti for many generations. The Maasai named the Serengeti! The name for this vast tract of land in Tanzania derives from the Maa word “serenget,” which means “endless plain.”

If you book a safari with a tour operator like Gondwana Ecotours, you can also include a cultural exchange visit to a Maasai Village! Today, guests are invited to tour a Maasai Village in Tanzania for a small entrance fee to help support the tribe as their semi-nomadic way of life becomes more challenging. During your visit, you can even tour a Maasai hut!

Maasai huts, or “manyattas,” are semi-permanent structures built by Maasai women from mud, sticks, grass, and cow dung. (The cow dung makes the roof waterproof.) These structures are very small, measuring only five feet high and 129 square feet in total. The hut is used for cooking, eating, sleeping, storage, and socialization. They even keep smaller livestock inside to protect them from predators.  Maasai huts are only used for a year or two before the villagers burn the structures (to eradicate pests) and build new ones in a new location.

Time Spent With The Maasai

Spending time with East African tribes like the Maasai can broaden your cultural horizons, especially when you visit with a professional guide from Gondwana Ecotours. Maasai traditionally greet all guests in their village and perform welcome dances for them. They are happy to pose for photographs and videos and will answer questions (through an interpreter) for you. Many tours include a display of jumping skills, and visitors are often invited to try to replicate the Maasai jumps. (A word of caution – it’s more difficult than it looks!) Guests can visit a Maasai home or Maasai village school, and even buy intricately beaded jewelry and other crafts as souvenirs.

Choose Gondwana And Book Your Trip With Confidence Today!

If you’re planning to visit Tanzania, don’t forget to ask your tour guide about a visit to a Maasai village. The professionals at Gondwana Ecotours are standing by to help you plan the trip of a lifetime! Get ready to marvel at the wildlife in Tanzania’s game parks and the endless views of the Serengeti Plains, and to make new friends at a local Maasai village. Don’t let the adventure pass you by – book today for a vacation you won’t forget.