Premium Essay

Maasai Tribe

Submitted By
Words 423
Pages 2
Goldman (2003) investigated the Maasai community of the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem in Tanzania.
The Maasai community in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem in Tanzania shifted from being nomads to living on permanent farms. The Maasai observed the movements of wildlife closely to organized the grazing of their livestock. However due to seasonal change in water availability livestock is sometimes moved over long distances. The Maasai see themselves as part of the ecosystem and therefore a good keeper of the environment. Their tolerance towards wild animals evolved from their mainly pastoral way of living. Within the Maasai’s conceptual framework wild animals are seen as a creation of god and is therefore equal to their kettle.
As in Ecuador,

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Nothing

...Question Bank in Social Science (History) Class-IX (Term-II) 5 PASTORALISTS IN THE MODERN WORLD CONCEPTS NOMADISM AS A WAY OF LIFE The Mountain Nomads The Gujjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir — They are pastoral nomads who move in groups called ‘Kafila’. Their movements are governed by the cold and snow. In winters when the high mountains are covered with snow these Gujjars move down to the low hills of the Sivalik range. On the onset of summer, when the snow melts and the mountains become lush and green, these pastoralists move back to the mountains. The Gaddi Shepherds of Himachal Pradesh have a similar cycle of movement. They also spend the winter on the low Sivalik hills and the summers in Lahul and Spiti. The Gujjar cattle herders of Kumaon and Garhwal spend their summers in the ‘bugyals’ and their winters in the ‘bhabar’. The Bhotias, Sherpas and Kinnauri follow the cyclic movement which helps them to adjust to seasonal changes and make best use of pastures. On the plateaus, plains and deserts — The Dhangars of Maharashtra : The Dhangars stay in the central plateau of Maharashtra during the monsoon. This is a semi-arid region. By October they begin their movement towards Konkan. Here their cattle help to manure the fields and hence they are welcomed by the Konkani peasant. As soon as the monsoon sets in, they retreat back to the semi-arid land of Maharashtra. The Gollas who herd cattle and the Kurumas and Kurubas who reared sheep and goat are ...

Words: 10411 - Pages: 42

Free Essay

The Maasai Culture

...the nineteenth century which saw increasing western encroachment into Kenya. This took the form of missionaries and explorers. The missionaries were keen to convert tribes to Christianity, halt slave trading and stop some of the Maasai practices which they perceived as barbaric (such as dressing almost naked and leaving their dead for wild animals to scavenge rather than having a burial ceremony). The explorers were less interested in tribal welfare and more interested in commerce, setting up a trade route from the coast through Kenya to Uganda (which took the form of a railway at the end of the nineteenth century; Nairobi was founded as head-quarters of development midway along this railway in 1899); some explorers did try negotiating land and access rights with local tribes but these were not always favourable to the native population. Arabs also headed inland attempting to widen their trading (in particular there was a busy slave-market at Zanzibar and a large demand for ivory) and unwittingly spreading the Swahili language. Already under great pressure from foreign influence and some inter-tribal warfare, the Maasai were deeply affected when rinderpest (a cattle disease) struck their herds around 1880-1890; the reduced grazing led to more woodland which encouraged breeding of the harmful Tse tse fly. The Maasai were also hit with drought, famine, smallpox and cholera. In 1910 they were forced out of even more of their homeland which had already been bisected by the Kenya/Uganda...

Words: 1707 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Anthropology

...Name Professor Title Date The Masai People of Kenya and Tanzania The Masai people commonly written Maasai make up one of the numerous varied African tribes inhabiting most of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. In Kenya, they are located in three counties, specifically Samburu, Kajiado, and Narok. Smaller groups like the Njemps (Ilchamus) reside around Laikipia District and Lake Baringo. In Tanzania, the huge population inhabits Kiteto, Monduli, Ngorongoro, kilimanjaro and Longido. The Maasai (or Maa) natives are pastoralists fall under the plain Nilotes ethnic group. Even though the ethnic group has urbanized in recent times from their nomadic, pastoral, and warrior ways of life into a more developed people, the traditions that exemplify their culture and their everyday lives stay virtually unchanged. This paper provides an overview of the Maasai identity, culture, as well as their political and social structure as it is associated with a typical Maasai culture. 1. Language and dialects There are various Maasai subdivisions found in their dialect, geographical locations, and socio-territorial. The Maasai converse in Maa language. The language has two inner subdivisions; the Ilsampur (Samburu), and Maasai. Maasai people live jointly amid two different kraals types. The enkang is the first type of kraal, which is a place where married people reside with their relations. The enkang is made of approximately thirty to fifty shelters usually huts surrounded by a rounded...

Words: 1920 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

English

...prospers in everything to secure his manly post in the tribe. The role of each family member in Umuofia is much defined. The men are overly intimidating. The women and children are treated defectively and often abused. Life in Umuofia is very different from life in Kenya before colonial times. Before the arrival of the Europeans, there was a dominant tribe called the Maasai. Like Umuofia, the Maasai’s were feared by other tribes because they had a fierce reputation, engaging in frequent raids against their neighbors, that gave them power beyond the number of warriors. But the Maasai were quite different from Umuofia. The Umuofia people did not engage in frequent attacks against their neighbors. They made the opponents choose whether they wanted to go to war or present them with a young man and a virgin woman to spare their village from devastation. The Maasai also had some beliefs similar to Umuofia. They had a god called Enkai who they believed gave them all the cattle in the world. For the Umuofia people it was different but on a small-scale level. They had a god called Chukwu, who is their only God and all the others are false. He made the whole world and the other gods. He made the other gods so that they could do work for him, for he had too many responsibilities. The Maasai god Enkai, had messengers to help him spread his word but he did all his work himself. Like the Umuofia men, the status of the Maasai men was determined by the size of the man’s herd and the...

Words: 614 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

They Sold My Sister

...The story ”They Sold My Sister” is written by Leteipa Ole Sunkuli in 1989. The text includes subjects as forced marriages, growing up in a society with powerful men and helpless young girls. The fear of being sold to wealthy unknown men was very common. The way the suitors bought them, was not that difficult. The men’s appearance was not important for the parents. They just wanted money and gifts for their daughters. “They Sold My Sister” is a very good example on how girls, in the Maasai tribe, had been forced into marriage. “They Sold My Sister” is a story which takes place in Kenya in the period of 1970’s. Naliki is 12 years old and the narrator of the story. She describes the action which happens in the Maasai tribe. Through the entire story, we will follow Naliki’s feelings and conversations between the parents. She is described to be afraid, sensitive and unhappy (p. 17 line 2). Two years ago when Naliki was 10 years old, her parents sold her sister, Nyamalo, to a wealthy ugly man who owned a large flock of sheep. The mother is violent. The family lives together in a poor society in Kenya where many farmers and nomads lives. A patriarchal- traditional society. Naliki said the word, “sold” to refer her sister’s marriage, but her mother did not like it and beat Naliki and said that, “dowry” was a kinder and more civilised word (p. 13 line 21). Even if the girls are willing to rebel against the marriage, they are unfortunately helpless, but the close bond between the sisters...

Words: 751 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

They Sold My Sister

...They Sold My Sister “They Sold My Sister” is written by Leteipa Ole Sunkuli, and was published in Kenya 1989. The story is dealing with problems like growing up and having your own opinion, being trapped in your family culture, traditions and religion.          The story takes place in Kenya probably around the 1970’s-80. The events take place in a Maasai tribe, by that we can tell that the story takes action in Kenya because Maasai tribe is in Kenya. The “sister” in the story, Nyamlo, goes to secondary school, which indicates that we are in a newer time – about the time that the story was published, around 1970’s-80, perhaps. The action we are told lasts for two years. Flashbacks are the first thing we meet in the text. Then on page 16, line 12 we get into the present.         The narration is a first person narrator and she is very subjective, that causes that she is the character, we follow through the entire story. Her name is Naliki she is 12 years old. She, as a character, is very afraid, forsaken and unhappy. Her sister Nyamalo was “sold” when Naliki   was ten years old, trough the whole story, we get to know Naliki and her thoughts, she know what is wrong and what is right. In the end of the story she realizes, that now, when she is 12, it is her turn to get married. She is very sensitive about it and scared about the thought of getting married, because she have already seen her sister go trough it, but at the same time she shows curiosity, when she is eavesdropping...

Words: 365 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Promiscuities

...Passage In “The Initiation of Maasai Warrior” Tepilit Ole Saitoti tells everyone her life for the massai is a series of conquest and tests involving the endurance of pain, which consist of cutting the front skin of the penis representing his responsibility and a big change from childhood to adulthood. When people read the story “The Initiation of Maasai Warrior” they start to notice how painful the rites of passage transformation between childhood to adulthood is for the Maasai people, another common culture has the similar believes is the Americans concerning the rites of passage which Naomi Wolfs explains in her story “Promiscuities: The Secret Struggle Towards Womanhood.” In both the Maasai and American cultures, both men and women go through rites of passage in order to learn responsibility and respect for family needs. When it comes to honoring your family’s name you’ll do anything to make them proud. In “The Initiation of Maasai Warrior” Tepilit Ole Saitoti tell “Ours has always been a proud family, and we would like to keep it that way. We will not tolerate unnecessary embarrassment, so you had better be ready. If you are not, tell us now so that we will not proceed.”(1) The key words in this quotation are “Tolerate” and “unnecessary” Webster’s new dictionary defines “tolerate” as the exixting presence, practice or act of without prohibition or hindrance and “unnecessary” as essential, needless. The children of Maasai must do what is needed...

Words: 293 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Different Tribes

...Masai Tribes The Masai people are a Nilotic ethnic group residing in Kenya and Northern Tanzania. They are the most well known tribe of the African ethnic groups. Their elaborate dress sense and array of colours that are distributed amongst the tribes clothing, is memorable for their expression through what they wear. The language spoken by the Masai people is Maa and they are also educated in the official languages of Kenya and Northern Tanzania, which are English and Swahili. Despite often being encouraged by Kenyan and Tanzanian governments to abandon their faiths and traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Masai people are true to their culture and continue to live in the way they wish. History Originating from the lower Nile Valley north of Lake Turkana, the Masai people began to migrate south in the 15th century. Ethnic groups that resided in these areas were forced and pushed aside by the Masai people where they remain to live their life of rich culture and belief. Cushitic groups which were settled in these places when the Masai made their way inwards, were brought into their teachings and from then on the mixture of Cushitic and Nilotic populations were referred to as Nilo-Hamitic peoples. Beliefs and lifestyle The Masai people are well known for being fearless and having the reputation of being warriors and cattle-rustlers. Cushitic groups have inspired the Masai people to take teachings and use them as their own, such as circumcision, vocabulary terms and social...

Words: 1261 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Tribal Culture

...Tribal culture Tribal culture there are many tribes in bangladesh and each tribe has its own unique culture. Some tribes may even have cultural distinctions within their different clans. But some traits are generally common among most tribes. For instance, originally most tribes are animists. Religious beliefs and taboos except for the sangsarek of the garos and buddhism of some tribes of chittagong and the chittagong hill tracts, all other tribes have no specific religion. They regard their ancient rites, beliefs and customs as their religion. The samsarek of the garos is also close to extinction. Most of them have by now become christians. However, they still follow certain rites of samsarek. Most santals are christians now but they observe their own tribal rites. The periods of the full moon and the dark of the moon are of special significance to the oraons, manipuris and buddhist tribes. Many religious and cultural rites take place during the full moon. The oraons believe in the sayings of dak and khana. They have many superstitions regarding journeys. For example, oraons will not undertake a journey if they stumble at the start, someone beckons from behind, a house-lizard calls out, a message is delivered about someone's death, a corpse appears on the way, a crow caws on a dry twig, or an empty pitcher comes in view. When oraons start tilling the field, they will do so from the east. They will wait for an auspicious day to begin building a house. They believe...

Words: 3288 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

The Ownership over Commomn Proeprty Resources : State Versis Community Rights

...HISTORICAL INJUSTICE TOWARD TRIBALS: A REFLECTION ON FOREST POLICES OF INDIA Introduction The Forest policy plays a vital role in the life and economy of rural poor. It is also played a crucial role in sustaining the life supporting systems of country’s environment. The livelihood activities of tribal’s center on the forest in which they live. They have maintained a time immemorial relation with forest and always interact for their sustenance and try to recreate the forest with their traditional conservation systems. But as soon as the tribals relation with forest got transformed due to progressive assertion of state monopoly rights over large areas of forest. It has resulted in large scale eviction and uprooting of traditional tribal villages. The relationship that existed between tribal social organization and the forest was completely upset as a result of these policies. In the ongoing process of liberalization, privatization and globalization, new markets challenges has been forced the state to divert the forest land for large corporations. This marked the beginning of a new forest governance system that was alien, induced and most particularly that excluded forest –dependent communities in the name of scientific forestry, public interest, national development, conservation and industrial growth. Due to this in humane policies have eroded their life styles and simultaneously the assertion of state primacy over natural resources deprived them of an...

Words: 4090 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

A Study of the Garasia Tribe and Strategies to Evangelize Them

...A Study of the Garasia Tribe and Strategies to Evangelize Them 1.) Overview of the Tribal Groups in Rajasthan Rajasthan is a state steeped in culture and history. Rajasthan, or the realm of the Kings, as it is known, is perhaps one of the princely states of all in India. Its history is abundant with stories and legends about its kings and rulers. In its golden age, the region was ruled by the Rajputs, and in their honor the state was known as Rajputana in its erstwhile years. These were the royal people, the Kshatriyas, the warriors and they were known to be fierce fighters, extremely proud of their heritage and position. But the state itself comprised of many other people groups, most of them tribal in nature. The state even now comprises of five major tribal people groups with many other either being the branches of these major groups or minor ones. These five tribal groups are Mina, Bhil, Garasia, Saharia and Damor. Of these tribal groups, the Minas are the largest of the lot with almost a share of close to 50 percent of the total population; Bhils come close with a population of 45 percent and then come the Garasias with a population comprising 3-4 percent of the total population of tribal people. The population of the Garasias in Rajasthan has been dwindling in the recent past because of their migration to North Gujarat. 2.) The Garasias Numerically speaking, the Garasias constitute the third largest group of the state of Rajsthan. Though they are also...

Words: 4691 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

Mt. Etna Informative Speech

...SCRIPT By Isabelle McCall, Ben Szabo, Kylie Auerbach, Tyler Wright and Anton Akhmetov Introduction: (Make sure you introduce all members of your team!) Kylie: The last time Mt. Etna erupted was May 16, 2015, who knows when it will erupt again. Hello I am Kylie, Isabelle: I’m Isabelle, Anton: I’m Anton, Ben: I am Ben, Tyler:and I am Tyler Ben: From Mrs. Silver’s class we have news about Mt. Etna. Main Body: This is where you will present all of your information to the public. Isabelle: It is located on the east coast Sicily, Italy. Ben: Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano, meaning it has been built up layers and layers of molten lava rock. It has 4 distinct craters on the summit. Kylie: Just between the African and Eurasian covertient plate boundaries, it stretches square miles over 460 square miles. Anton: Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. It has had a series of eruptions since 2001. Even though it is thousands of years old, it is still very active. It has been going hot for over 2,000 years. Tyler: Mt. Etna is 10,900 feet tall with a base circumference of 93 miles. Isabelle: More than 25% of Sicily’s population lives on Etna’s slopes. Etna is just above the city Catania. Ben: It has been know to have violent eruptions and voluminous lava flow! Anton: Mt. Etna has the longest written record of eruptions than any other volcano. It is a subduction volcano, so this type of volcano is very gassy, that is 1 reason of why Mt. Etna is...

Words: 383 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Tanana Chiefs Conference Swot Analysis

...1915, Athabascan tribal Chiefs from throughout the Alaskan interior banded together to protect their Alaska Native land rights, an issue that propelled Alaska into statehood in 1959, and continues today. Tanana Chiefs Conference is organized as Dena’ Nena’ Henash or “Our Land Speaks”; an Alaska Native nonprofit corporation, charged with advancing Tribal self-determination and enhancing regional Native unity. TCC provides health and social services balancing traditional Athabascan and Alaska Native values with modern demands. Vision: Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes Mission:...

Words: 609 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Examining Alternatives to Globalization

...Dorothea Pierce World Culture Examining Alternatives to Globalization Those that oppose globalization criticize the methods that are being used in consumerism, immigration, and nutrition. They are concerned with how the present methods are affecting global warming, hunger worldwide and the immigration issues being faced across the world. One of the main reasons for this is the worldwide hunger issue we are now facing. Hunger is not just in third world countries anymore, it is now faced in every nation including ours. Crops cannot be grown or produced in a large enough quantity to feed everyone, not to mention those that are actually have to labor at the farms to grow our food and tend the livestock. If each country were able to maintain their own economy there would be no reason to rely on other countries for their goods. If this were the case, the only reason to travel to other countries would be to take a vacation, study their culture or maybe to trek around the world. Whatever your reason, it would not be out of need but because you wanted to. All of the top stores employ 'buyers' that travel around the globe in order to bring us the best the world has to offer. But do we really need this? The answer to this question is no, but that does not stop the average consumer. There are those that want the best that there money can buy and if that means that it is an apothecary from China, well they are gonna find it even it they have to order it online and have...

Words: 522 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Kwakiutl Indian Tribe Potlatch Ritual

...Phase 1 Individual Project – The Kwakiutl Indian Tribe Potlatch Ritual Michael Chargualaf HUMN250-1302B-03 Colorado Technical University Online The Kwakiutl Indian Tribe Potlatch Ritual In trying to understand the topic of a Kwakiutl chief burning his family’s possessions during a potlatch, one must research the background, history, and makeup of these people to determine the reason for this ritual. From a distant view of the topic, one would interpret this as an act of lunacy and pointless in every aspect. But with all irrational acts or behaviors, one must look deeper before making judgment. And even then, what may seem illogical to you based on your cultural beliefs may be typical for other cultural groups. The Kwakiutl Indians, located in the Vancouver Islands, live along the coast line. They comprise of a number of tribes and are subdivided into family lines called “numaym”. Numayn is believed by the tribe members as being descendants from a mystical ancestor. It is in this belief that seems to determine a tribe member’s social ranking within the tribe. Economically, the Kwakiutl, are considered to have an abundance of wealth in terms of food and other natural resources. With their close proximity to the ocean, it is naturally assumed that their main source of food comes from the sea and that they are a tribe of fishermen. While mostly true, they also specialize in woodworking and handcrafts such as making baskets, mats, and blankets. The Kwakiutls, however, spend...

Words: 794 - Pages: 4