Maasai people
Maasai People
Maasai (not Masai or Massai) is the correct spelling of this noble tribe: it means people speaking Maa. “Masai” was the incorrect spelling used by British settlers and has remained in common use. Kenya recognizes over forty tribes of native people. The Maasai were the dominant tribe at the beginning of the 20th century and are one of the very few tribes who have retained most of their traditions, lifestyle, and lore.
The Maasai have always been unique. Their bright red robes set them apart visually, and with spear in hand, they are calm and courageous regardless of the danger. Armed British troops who drove the Maasai from their lands in the early 20th century held a deep respect for these fearless tribesmen. Up until recently, the only way for a Maasai boy to achieve warrior status was to single-handedly kill a lion with his spear.
When you see a Maasai for the first time, you may agree with what Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) wrote about her experience in East Africa in Out of Africa:
“A Maasai warrior is a fine sight. Those young men have, to the utmost extent, that particular form of intelligence which we call chic; daring and wildly fantastical as they seem, they are still unswervingly true to their own nature, and to an immanent ideal. Their style is not an assumed manner, nor an imitation of a foreign perfection; it has grown from the inside, and is an expression of the race and its history, and their weapons and finery are as much a part of their being as are a stag’s antlers.”
A Bit of Maasai History
In common with the wildlife with which they co-exist, the Maasai need a lot of land. Unlike many other tribes in Kenya, the Maasai are semi-nomadic and pastoral: they live by herding cattle and goats. The Maasai’s god is Engai, whom they believe created them and gave them all the cattle in the world. The Maasai refer to neighboring tribes of farmers and hunter-gatherers as “Ndorobo,” meaning “poor folk,” as Maasai measure wealth by cattle, which they view as essential.
The Maasai did not have villages with permanent buildings; instead, they built “enkangs” (corrals) for family groups. An “enkang” is a circular arrangement of huts, one per family, surrounded by a fence of thorn bushes. The women construct these huts using cattle dung and clay. The Maasai would periodically abandon their enkangs and build new ones where there was fresh grazing and water.
The “Laibon,” often translated as “witch doctor” but better understood as a “vision seeker,” served as the tribe’s spiritual guide. In the 19th century, Mbatian, a legendary Laibon, envisioned a “metal snake” approaching from the coast—foretelling the coming of the railroad and British settlers. His vision was of a new era for the Maasai, one that would profoundly change their way of life.
In 1904, the Maasai signed the first treaty, giving up their best lands to European settlers. In 1911, a second treaty saw the loss of their northern lands, including Laikipia. The Maasai were relocated to less fertile regions in Kenya and Tanzania.
The Future of the Maasai Tribe
While other Kenyan tribes have adapted to modern times, the Maasai have remained loyal to their traditional ways, even as Kenya has taken more land for growing communities and agriculture. Fortunately, recent years have seen the development of a unique form of eco-tourism that benefits the Maasai. Unlike other tribes that view wildlife as a threat or a source of food, the Maasai have maintained a co-existence with wildlife that sustains the environment and their cultural values.
We aim to support the Maasai and their traditions in all that we do. A stay in our lodges attracts a conservation fee of $150 per guest per day. The funds are for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWC), whose goal is to protect the wilderness, wildlife and cultural heritage of the local Maasai community. By staying with us, you are directly giving back to and supporting these wonderful people and the wildlife around them.
MWC has pioneered the Wildlife Pays program, reimbursing Maasai herders for livestock lost to predators. This initiative, funded by conservation fees from tourists, helps employ Maasai warriors as lion scouts, creating a sustainable way to protect the region’s ecosystem and its species. The result is an eco-tourism model where tourists directly support conservation without reliance on external philanthropy.
MWC has also founded and funded the Chyulu Hills Carbon Project, covering 1,000,000 acre of land and impacting 70,000 Maasai. Your stay with us is carbon neutral through this community project.
In the past, the Maasai and wildlife lived together in harmony. Today this is much harder where tourism does not benefit the local communities.
Through community-driven conservation programs like Wildlife Pays and Carbon Credits, we aim to restore that balance. By choosing to stay with us, you’re not only experiencing Maasai culture but also contributing to the preservation of their traditions, the wildlife, and the land they both call home. Your visit helps us continue this vital work, securing a brighter future for the Maasai, their culture, and the unique ecosystems they protect.
This is truly what make us unique and that is why we encourage to live your safari experience with us. In the words of acclaimed actor and UN Ambassador for Biodiversity, Edward Norton of why what MWC does is so important: “Well, for one thing, this is the model of how it needs to happen all over the World, so if you’re interested in the global struggle for sustainability, this is right on the front lines and very cutting edge. But also the landscape is literally where we all come from….the animals are the animals of our ancestral imagination. Imagine if you had to point at a picture of a lion and explain to your child or grandchild why that animal no longer exists. It’s going to happen if people don’t make an effort to work on these issues”.
Edward is the President of our Trust. For more information on the Maasai and our mission to protect the land around us, get in touch with the MWCT today. To book your stay with us, browse our rates and contact us and we will be happy to assist in tailoring your dream safari adventure.
