Africa - Tanzania - The Maasai Tribe of the Serengeti

We travel through lush parks along the Great Rift Valley and pass many members of the Maasai tribe well,know for their unique cultural and tribal dress. They live in Enkang (compounds) with 10-20 small huts arranged in a circle. Surrounding the Enkang is a fence made of acacia thorns to prevent lions from attacking the cattle. A man's worth is measured by the number of cattle and children he owns.

The Inkajijik (houses) are loaf-shaped and made of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and cow's urine. Women build the houses, bring water, collect firewood, milk cattle and cook for the family. Warriors take care of security while young boys herd livestock.

At fifteen, boys have a coming of age ritual where they are circumcised and, as Morani (young warriors), they must kill a lion with a spear. While lion hunting is now illegal, our guide Nigel says it still happens.

Traditionally, the Maasai people wore animals skins draped around their bodies. Today they wrap large bright red "shukas" (sheets) around their body, to scare away animals and so the can better see each other from a distance. They wear large quantities of beaded necklaces and decorations around their neck and arms and body piercings are plentiful.

The women shave their heads to show off their beautifully beaded large hand-made collars and remove the two middle teeth from their lower jaw. Originally this was to facilitate the delivery of oral medicine when the person had lockjaw due to tetanus. Today is its just a custom the Maasai are holding to. I opt NOT to shave my head or have any dental work performed but I do learn the proper way to make the Maasai beaded collar flop up and down while I dance!

Our Tanzanian Safari is by far the best trip we have ever taken. The planning was flawless and every item of the trip from lodging to meals to indigenous experiences was perfectly executed. While financially not for the faint-hearted, it was worth every penny. Many thanks to Pat Garcia of Northridge Travel who made all the arrangements.  She can be reached at pat@northridgetravel.com or 818-886-2000 or 800-842-8880.