In East Africa residing in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley on semi-arid and arid lands are the Maasai People. The Maasai society consists of sixteen sections: Ildamat, Ilpurko, Ilkeekonyokie, Iloitai, Ilkaputiei, Ilkankere, Isiria, Ilmoitanik, Iloodokilani, Iloitokitoki, Ilarusa, Ilmatatapato, Ilwuasinkishu, Kore, Parakuyu, and Ilkisonko (P&C Maasai H 1). In the middle of the fifteenth century the Maasai’s ancestors originated in North Africa, migrating south along the Nile valley and arriving in Northern Kenya (AP of Kenya 1). Maasai conquered all tribes in their path while managing to attack neighbors reaping the cattle. At the end of the journey, the Maasai had obtained almost all the land in the Rift Valley
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The Maasai are some of the most recognizable of the African tribes due to their distinct dress, customs, and beautiful jewelry such as those that consist of beads (Maasai Africa 1). The unique pieces take a lot of time and the talent has been passed down through generations (Maasai Africa 1). The society lives a nomadic lifestyle heavily dependent on their animals for nutrition. Primary diet consists of milk, meat and animal blood. Fresh food and water is essential, but if only a limited amount is accessible the Maasai people will walk miles to new grounds that accommodate their needs. The movement of livestock depends on seasonal rotation. Men have responsibilities such as herding and protecting the livestock (P&C Maasai H 1). Weapons such as spears are used to ward off any potential threats from wild animals such as lions. Maasai women are responsible for cooking, suppling water, collecting sticks and firewood, milking cattle and building a home (P&C Maasai H 1). The native culture known for their tactic, way of life, and history in obtaining land brings great historic value. Due to epidemic breakthrough, colonist’s takeover, and modern world influences the nature of Maasai people and their wildlife are greatly …show more content…
The first mishap was an epidemic of probable pleuro-pneumonia, which exhausted cattle herds (Cultural Survival 1). Shortly after that there was a prolonged epidemic of febrile rinderpest (Cultural Survival 1). Rinderpest is an infectious disease caused by a paramyxovirus in cattle and other ruminants which cause fever, dysentery, and inflammation of the mucus membranes. By the end of the 1880’s Maasai herds depleted by 80%. Subsequently, the entire Maasai population themselves were severely affected by cholera, drought, famine and smallpox (“TM Cultures of Kenya” 1). The population collapsed from approximately 500,000 to only 40,000 (“TM Cultures of Kenya” 1). The simultaneous occurrence of catastrophes forced the remaining Maasai to submit to new colonial rules rather than fight
The Maasai are some of the most recognizable of the African tribes due to their distinct dress, customs, and beautiful jewelry such as those that consist of beads (Maasai Africa 1). The unique pieces take a lot of time and the talent has been passed down through generations (Maasai Africa 1). The society lives a nomadic lifestyle heavily dependent on their animals for nutrition. Primary diet consists of milk, meat and animal blood. Fresh food and water is essential, but if only a limited amount is accessible the Maasai people will walk miles to new grounds that accommodate their needs. The movement of livestock depends on seasonal rotation. Men have responsibilities such as herding and protecting the livestock (P&C Maasai H 1). Weapons such as spears are used to ward off any potential threats from wild animals such as lions. Maasai women are responsible for cooking, suppling water, collecting sticks and firewood, milking cattle and building a home (P&C Maasai H 1). The native culture known for their tactic, way of life, and history in obtaining land brings great historic value. Due to epidemic breakthrough, colonist’s takeover, and modern world influences the nature of Maasai people and their wildlife are greatly …show more content…
The first mishap was an epidemic of probable pleuro-pneumonia, which exhausted cattle herds (Cultural Survival 1). Shortly after that there was a prolonged epidemic of febrile rinderpest (Cultural Survival 1). Rinderpest is an infectious disease caused by a paramyxovirus in cattle and other ruminants which cause fever, dysentery, and inflammation of the mucus membranes. By the end of the 1880’s Maasai herds depleted by 80%. Subsequently, the entire Maasai population themselves were severely affected by cholera, drought, famine and smallpox (“TM Cultures of Kenya” 1). The population collapsed from approximately 500,000 to only 40,000 (“TM Cultures of Kenya” 1). The simultaneous occurrence of catastrophes forced the remaining Maasai to submit to new colonial rules rather than fight