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The Maasai Tribe Essays

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The Maasai are one of the many southern-most tribes located in Kenya. They are

physically related, and also in many other forms related to the Samburu and Turkana. The

Maasai have a relatively complex culture and traditions. In fact, for many years they were

unheard of. By the late 1800’s we soon discovered more about the Maasai, mostly from

their oral histories.

It is presumed that the Maasai came from the north, probably from the region of

the Nile Valley in Sudan. Also presumed is that they left this area sometime between the

fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, migrating southwards towards he Great Rift Valley.

According to the Maasai oral history, they came from a crater or deep valley somewhere …show more content…

The rituals and ceremonies that the Maasai participate in give added importance

to the lives they lead. With every ceremony that celebrates the step to a more

distinguished age, the added responsibilities given to that person are celebrated. Their

contribution in the society is elevated as well as their honor.

Age is the greatest influence in Maasai society. Other ways of defining status by

age pertain to women; these are called “age-grades”. While the age-set is only for

initiated men, women can obtain a higher age-grade after marriage. Age-grades are the

consecutive statuses that individuals are given in the course of their lives. The

rights that are given to women as they progress through age groups include the

responsibilities of herds, land and families. The ceremonies that occur for these passages

through age are important in keeping this established tradition.

The most important ages for both men and women are between 15 and 18.This is

when the girls and boys are initiated into adulthood through the act of circumcision. After

the act of circumcision, both boys and girls are able to take on new responsibilities in their

community, including the right to marry and hold land and cattle for themselves. When a

mother sends her son to be initiated, she presents him

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