More About Massai.

Today we got to talk to Kidege about Massai culture – and we learned a lot, to say the least. I’ll start at the beginning…
Massai are divided into age groups which each have their own special responsibilities for men – a woman’s primary responsibility is to learn how to raise a family and cook.
Ages 4-8 are responsible for looking after the small animals.
Ages 9-14 fall into the lyoni category and they are responsible for herding goats, sheep and small cows nearby.
Ages 15-29 are the warriors or morani (this is what Kidege and Moreto are). They are trained by the elders. The warriors are primarily responsible for taking care of the village – they provide protection and they herd the cattle. Warriors are not allowed to drink alcohol – but once they leave the warrior age group it is allowed. Warriors are trained during a one or two month period in the forest by the elders. Their time in the forest is spent detoxifying their bodies and they eat only meat and drink tea made from the leaves of trees nearby which are said to have amazing medicinal powers. Warriors are trained primarily in defending the village rather than going out and seeking out fights. The warrior group has a leader for the region who is appointed by the elders who take into consideration a man’s family, history, etc. He then chooses five or so ‘cabinet’ members to help him. It is then his responsibility to keep track of the other warriors and call them to action if need be.
Ages 30-45 are responsible for helping the warriors.
Ages 46 to death are the wazee and they are the respected elders in the village.
Often times, if there is a conflict that the government isn’t paying attention to, the Massai will call in other Massai from another region to increase the threat (although they have no plans on physically threatening anyone) and put pressure on the government to intervene. It is a way for them to protect themselves nonviolently from the Waswahili people since there are so many of them and so few Massai.
Massai have an extremely rocky relationship with the Waswahili people – as evidenced by the violence in Kidege’s village in 2000 and in Kilosa a few weeks ago.
Having multiple wives is becoming less and less common among the Massai. People like Kidege’s father may have more than one wife but they discourage their children from doing it and they don’t take any more wives.
With those who have more than one wife it is a very peaceful arrangement. The women and their children respect one another. Usually each wife has her own home and the children sleep wherever they would like. The husband usually sleeps in the houseofhis youngest wife.

That’s all for now… stay tuned.
Peace.