The Masaai History

The Masaai live in the North West part of Kenya. According to their oral history, they originated from the north of Lake Turkana. They migrated south in the 15th century. They now live in the Kenya and Tanzania. The Masaai are traditionally nomadic pastrolists and they normally move from place to place in search of water and grazing land for there cattle. They are the only tribe in Kenya that has tried to hold on to there culture. This has greatly boosted the tourism industry in Kenya as the tourists come to experience this rich and unpolluted culture of the Masaai people.

Maintaining a pure culture has been a big problem for the Masaai as they interact with people from all walks of life. Being nomadic pastoralists has also been threatened as the gazing land is not as available as before. This is because of over population, and them being banned from grazing in forests as they disrupt the wildlife. Today, some of them have opted to be traders and others farmers but a good number of them hold on to there culture no matter the problems.

The Masaai believed in God, Engai who lived on the mountain of God in Serengeti Tanzania. This mountain is called Ol Doinyo Lengai. A Laibon was the religious leader of the people. He would guide the people in prayers to God and ceremonies. He was also the people’s prophet and seer. He was a very respected and feared member of the community. Today most of the Masaai have embraced Christianity as there religion.