| The Masaai people are the only community in | | | | other women in the homestead to cook milk and |
| Kenya that is trying very hard to hold on to their | | | | maintain the shelters they live in. If a boy, most |
| culture. They live in the north west part of Kenya. | | | | of the time is spent playing and looking after |
| Due to increase in population, some are also found | | | | calves and lambs. The boy child undergoes ritual |
| in Tanzania. They are Nilotic speakers. Masai | | | | beating to test for courage and perseverance |
| li9festyle is one that is diverse, interesting and | | | | every now and then. |
| sometimes outright primitive. This is what makes | | | | The women are the ones who do most of the |
| people from all walks of life; visit Kenya to learn | | | | work. They build the shelters, milk cows and fed |
| something from these very friendly people. Masaai | | | | for the family. The men are left to guard over |
| are traditionally monotheistic and believe in there | | | | the clan and decide on important issues concerning |
| God, Enkai. Today, most of them have become | | | | the family and clan depending on ones age group. |
| Christians and a few of them Muslims. | | | | Circumcision is performed every 15 years or so |
| The Masaai lifestyle and culture is maintained by | | | | to promote the boys aged between 12 and 25 to |
| strict cultural beliefs and practices. When a child is | | | | junior morans. This is a ritual that is done without |
| born, it is not recognized for the first 3 moons | | | | anesthetic and a show of pain or fear on the |
| (months) due to the high infant mortality rate. | | | | boys brings dishonor to the family. |
| The child if it is a girl is taught how to help the | | | | |