Traditionally, Maasai are pastoralists who inhabit the plains and savannahs of southern Kenya. However, in modern times, this is slowly changing due to land loss, formal education, religious conversion, and livelihood diversification. Maasai holds a special spot in people’s imagination, being intimate to wild Africa. People come to Kenya not only to enjoy safaris but also to see the Maasai. Maasai hunting and killing of lions is often considered as a symbol of tribal Africa. Yet, with the lion populations threatened, Maasai hunting is garnering outrage, shock, and misunderstanding raising concerns in conservation literature as well as in the media.
Maasai
Maasai rituals which are an essential part of their culture are symbolized using beads, shields, dressings, markings and designs. Some ceremonies are intended for both women and men. Others are solely for either males or females. Female ceremonial rituals are focused on their marriage. Each Maasai ritual is a step toward God. Maasai ceremonies serve to mark their age-set classes of social system and political culture in the strictest form. But they do not distinguish age or time in the modern way. They approximate time to 14-year sections. The 6 Maasai ceremonies are Enkipaata, Emuratare, Olomaylo, Emanyatta, Eunoto and Orngesherr.
Maasai is the most known Kenyan tribe, having grown into an icon of Kenya tourism and global fashion. Louis Vuitton has a line that includes Maasai hats, scarves, beach towels and duffle bags. There are currently 80 companies using Maasai image. It shows how well-recognized the brand has become. For outsiders, it may seem nothing more than a fashion brand that enlivens their ceremonies. But for Maasais, they capture their entire world. Entering into Maasailand is taking a fascinating journey to a land full of symbols. The 6 iconic Maasai dressing accessories are beads, collar, shuka, decorations, mask and shield.
Travel To Kenya To Know More About Maasais