A famously hospitable culture, learning about the Maasai, their traditions and their way of life, is a wonderful part of any Kenyan safari experience. Semi-nomadic, the Maasai people live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley. ‘Maasai’ means ‘people who speak Maa’, the official language of the 16 tribes that make up Maasai society, not to be confused with the word ‘Masai’ which refers to the land.

The Maasai people have clung to their traditional way of life while navigating the complexities of contemporary society. Many luxury lodges and camps support the Maasai people with employment opportunities, and daily conversations with local staff can be just as rewarding as the planned cultural activities on offer. Setting aside time to immerse yourself completely in Maasai culture will always be time well spent.

Take a walk on the wild side. The Maasai have cohabitated with the Big Five for centuries and make for the perfect guides when exploring the vast expanse of the Great Rift Valley. Maasai naturalists will regale you with local legends, fables, traditions and customs as they guide you on foot to great herds of buffalo and elephants drinking at waterholes.

On a village visit you will be invited into the Maasai circular mud homesteads, called ‘manyattas’, and enthusiastically welcomed, especially if you are friendly to cows. Living under a communal land management system, cattle comes before everything else for the Maasai. On a village visit you can gain a deeper understanding of the everyday lives of the people and how they maintain the precarious balance between preserving their ancient pastoral ways and embracing modern life.

‘Adamu’, the signature jumping dance of the Maasai people, is performed by men to show their strength and stamina as tribal warriors. Regularly performed at lodges for guests before dinner, or during sundowners around a blazing fire at a mobile camp, the impressively energetic dance has become as familiar to travellers as the Maasai themselves. Guests are often encouraged to join in – but be warned, it’s much harder than it looks!

The Maasai are well-known for their vibrantly-coloured red ‘shukkas’ (traditional cloth) and beaded jewellery that hangs in abundance around their neck and arms. Maasai colours, patterns and aesthetics are often incorporated into lodge and camp décor, with objects like lampshades and rugs hand crafted by the Maasai women themselves. Some lodges have studios where you can try your hand at creating Maasai craft, and most have market stalls where you can purchase beaded handiwork and artefacts, with proceeds going directly back into the community.

Forth & Wonder is dedicated to ethical travel, and we only work with local operators who adhere to responsible and supportive practices when employing and working with Indigenous Peoples.

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Learn about Africa though the eyes of the Maasai people – talk to us today to start designing your Africa safari.
e: curious@forthandwonder.com.au
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