The Massai Tribe

The Massai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The population of the Massai is approximately one half million people. 

The Massai are known as tall and fierce warriors; they live completely different lives than what we do today. Massai people are nomadic so they are constantly moving place to place to find food, and a place for shelter for a short period of time.

The Massai reply on their animals for food, and get all of the necessities they need by trading and swapping items with other Massai people. 

The gender roles for Massai people are very different than what we are used to; Massai women are given as much respect as someone would give a cow. This seams so awful to me, because women are a vital part of society, they birth all of the children, and cook all of the food, and even build the entire home when they move locations.

The homes that the Massai live in are called manyatta, which are built from branches and grass. Manyattas do not have windows or chimneys so it is very smoky and dark inside. Animal skins are laid on the floor for warmth and some type of insulation. When all the food and water is gone, the Massai will simply pack up their house and move across the land to find somewhere where there is.

I couldn’t imagine having to live like the Massai; they are such strong, motivated people that do not rely on materialistic items.