The Maasai people of Serengeti and Ngorongoro have been herding their cattle for thousands of years. The Maasai are struggling to integrate themselves in a dwindling world, a proud, nomadic warrior race who count their wealth in cattle and children.
In accordance with government policies: Not able to roam as freely as before with their herds, they must restrict their activities based on Tanzania governmental policies or disrupt the district's fragile ecology and tourism economy as counselled by its policymakers.
Not known for killing wild animals: This is strange enough as the Maasai have not been known to kill wild animals or damage their environment since the beginning. They subsisted on the blood, meat and milk of their herds. They disapproved of agriculture because it ruined the land for grazing. But today, they are learning to farm and to trade their crafts, their skills and their produce, cooperating with the tourist industries, taking their place as guides, drivers, trackers, cooks, assistants and managers to bring in much-needed revenue for their government and training opportunities for their young people.
Nice hosts to visitors: They are nice hosts to visitors from the camps in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in return for support of their village, schools and health centres. Friendly and generous hosts, they share their native melody, dancing and ritual wisdom with those who seek to enrich themselves with the experience.
Sing, dance and enact dramas: The dramatic red cloth cloaks and spears of the Morani, or Maasai warriors, contrast with the rich bead collars of their children and gap-toothed wives, as they sing, dance and enact dramas with enthusiastic joy and pride in the richness of their very different culture. Traditionally, the Maasai live in extended families in Tanzania. The men are responsible for security, fencing their circular kraal with acacia thorns to keep marauding lions from attacking their cattle.
Artists, Teachers...:The boys act as herdsmen while women and girls build houses or Inkajijik, collect wood and water and prepare food. Today, some families often live independently. The girls are as ambitious as the boys, keen to learn trades and develop skills as cooks, housekeepers, artists, teachers and even as African Mecca game guides and camp managers around East Africa.
Inputs and photos courtesy: Sunil Nadkarni, Chemical Engineer holding two patents, a Rotarian and Philanthropist settled in Ankaleshwar, Bharuch district of Gujarat.
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