| The Massai warriors are one of the most | | | | ceremony, the "coming of age". |
| prominent and respected ethnic groups in Kenya. | | | | When a new generation of warriors is initiated, |
| The warriors are so greatly feared, it is told that | | | | the existing warriors will graduate to become |
| lions and cheetahs will run away or stop their | | | | junior elders, who are responsible for political |
| pursuits of game animals if a Massai warrior is | | | | decisions until they in turn become senior elders. |
| anywhere close by. As soon as a Massai warrior | | | | The warriors are in charge of society's security, |
| is initiated their spear and shield are decorated | | | | and spend most of their time now on walkabouts |
| with red paint, which is symbolic of their status in | | | | throughout Maasai lands, beyond the confines of |
| society. | | | | their sectional boundaries. They are also much |
| The central unit of the Massai society is the | | | | more involved in cattle trading than they used to |
| age-set. Although young boys are sent out with | | | | be, developing and improving basic stock through |
| the calves and lambs as soon as they can toddle, | | | | trades and bartering rather than stealing as in the |
| childhood for boys is mostly playtime. Girls are | | | | past. Boys are responsible for herding small |
| responsible for chores such as cooking and milking. | | | | livestock. During the drought season, both |
| Every 15 years or so, a new and individually | | | | warriors and boys assume responsibility for |
| named generation of warriors will be initiated. This | | | | herding livestock. Elders are directors and advisors |
| involves most boys between 12 and 25 who have | | | | for day-to-day activities. Women are responsible |
| reached puberty and are not part of the previous | | | | for making the houses as well as supplying water, |
| age-set. One rite of passage from boyhood to | | | | collecting firewood, milking cattle and cooking for |
| the status of junior warrior is a painful | | | | the family. One myth about the Massai is that |
| circumcision ceremony, which is performed | | | | each young man is supposed to kill a lion before |
| without anesthetic. The Maa word for circumcision | | | | they are circumcised. Although lion hunting was an |
| is emorata. The boy must endure the operation in | | | | activity of the past, and lion hunting has been |
| silence. Expressions of pain bring dishonor, albeit | | | | banned in East Africa, lions are still hunted when |
| temporarily. The healing process will take 3-4 | | | | they maul Massai livestock, and young warriors |
| months, and boys must remain in black cloths for | | | | who engage in traditional lion killing do not face |
| a period of 4-8 months. | | | | significant consequences. Increasing concern |
| During this period, the newly circumcised young | | | | regarding lion populations has given rise to at least |
| men will live in a "manyatta", a "village" built by | | | | one program which promotes accepting |
| their mothers. The manyatta has no encircling | | | | compensation when a lion kills livestock, rather |
| barricade for protection, emphasizing the warrior | | | | than hunting and killing the predator. Nevertheless, |
| role of protecting the community. Further rites of | | | | killing a lion gives one great value and celebrity |
| passage are required before achieving the status | | | | status in the community. |
| of senior warrior, culminating in the eunoto | | | | |