The Masai tribe warriors
Introduction
Who and where are they? The Masai are a warrior tribe, of more than 880,000 inhabitants, located mainly in Kenya and northern Tanzania (Africa). It is one of the oldest tribes in Africa. The tribe generally lives in villages called "Enkang" and live in cabins or "manyatta", which are accommodated in circles, and made by maesai women based on animal droppings, mixed with earth and water, and the roof made of branches. The cabins have a small window to ventilate the house, they are small so that the flies do not enter, since they do not like darkness.
Developing
They protect themselves with these cabins and straw;since placing branches that have thorns around them the animals cannot harm or attack their flock. Actually these types of houses were designed for moving people, so they are made with nature. Its origin comes from ancient cloud and they have lived in their territory approximately five centuries. There is a theory in which it is said that the Romans arrived in Africa in search of different sources, although they never returned and that is why it was not known again from them.
It has been said that the Masai are direct descendants of these Romans, since their clothing and their spears are very similar, but this theory could not be proven. The Masai are a nomadic town. Although the governments of Kenya and Tanzania have tried many times to change their nomadic lifestyle, they have not changed their way of living. The Masai used to be a town dedicated to hunting and were a feared tribe, since they had a lot of power in their territories, they stole cattle from other peoples, dominated others.
Until the border peoples were confronted and went through a great drought, and this was what caused them to lose power. At the beginning of the twentieth century they went through colonization in Africa by the British, who pressed the Masai people to change their lifestyle and stayed with part of their territory. Another problem of when the English arrived was that the people suffered the bovine plague, which caused the death of the cattle. Although they were a town dedicated to hunting, today they are dedicated to animal grazing, although there have been several attempts from the country to devote themselves to agriculture.
They believe that they own all the cattle of the earth, thanks to a myth that exists of its creation, that it speaks that God had three children and each one received a gift;The third received a fell to direct the flock and it is said that this is the father of the Masai. The tribe remained against slavery and lived with very wild animals. They communicate in the Maa language that comes from the Orientals, but they also know how to speak Suajili and English, thanks to the British colonization. Religion: the only God Masai is "ngai" or "enkai", which is both feminine and masculine.
The main construction of this God was Ol doinyo Lengai or the mountain of God, this mountain measures 2000 meters and is located in Tanzania. Ngai exists in two ways: Ngai Narok that represents good, is black and ngai nanyoke that represents evil, is red and it is said that its origin is attributed to the British. The Masai have a mystical belief that protects their village, their cattle and God. The cows, their lands and their cattle are sacred to them, since they believe that with their cattle they have the basic things to survive.
Cows are the most sacred for them, since they say it was a gift sent from heaven from NGAI, and this is their connection that exists with God. Drinking from the milk of the cow and eating of the flesh of it is its highly spiritual act, its communion with God. With this you can demonstrate the importance of pastoral life in the Masai. His religion is without luxuries and monotheistic. The majority of the inhabitants of this tribe follow this religion, although today many have adopted Christianity. What most characterizes its social structure is the age system, which organizes men in age groups.
Separated for about fifteen years;His life as individuals does not live, but as members of this age system. In their childhood, children tend to develop a special relationship between them. These relationships give them an identity as members of a specific group. Girls of the same age spend most of the time with their mothers helping them with the chores of the house and learning from them. Children are assigned an age system after becoming a long and elaborate circumcision ritual, which is one of the most important rituals in the life of a Masai;since they have circumcision.
conclusion
They can become warriors, minor leaders, major leaders or finally with retired leaders. Circumcision in women is also something common, but not to prepare them to be warriors, but to be married to the oldest men, because the warriors are prohibited from marrying. A generation of warriors is replaced when another is initiated, and with this they become minor leaders, for this a ritual is also performed. The social organization of the Masai is extremely macho, since polygamy is practiced;that depending on the number of cows they have, it depends on the number of wives that they can have.
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