They are indigenous African group of semi – nomadic people located in Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
They are the most well – known African ethnic group internationally.
The Maasai originated near Lake Turkana they are directly related to the Kalenjin and Turkana who live near Lake Turkana.]
They are pastoralists moving from place to place to look for water and greener pastures for their cattle.
Cattle are a sign of wealth in the Maasai land. The more herds of cattle you have the richer you are.
Maasai live in kraals arranged in a circular way.
There is a fence around the kraal which is made of thorns to prevent lions from attacking the cattle.
The woman’s job is to construct the houses and the man fences the kraal.
The houses are usually made of grass, sticks, cow dung and urine.
Women’s chores are collecting firewood, milking the cattle, fetching water and cooking.
While boys are responsible for herding livestock.
The elder announces the schedule of the day every morning for every one to follow.

Maasai practice one rite of passage from boyhood to junior warrior. It’s a painful circumcision ceremony, performed without anesthetic.
It’s performed by the elders who use a sharpened knife and make shift cattle hide bandages for the procedure. The healing process will take 3-4 months and must remain in black clothes for a period of 4-8 months.

The newly circumcised young man will leave in a manyatta where they are given the warrior role of protecting the community.
Further rights of passage are required before achieving the status of senior elders.

The Maasai are best known for their beautiful beadwork which plays an essential element in the ornamentation of the body.
The beading is determined by each age set and identity grades.
Young men cover their bodies in ocher to look more attractive.
Maasi rely on meat, milk and blood from the cattle.
The blood is given to circumcised person, a woman who has given birth and the sick.
Popular tourist’s destinations in East Africa such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Serengeti and Ngorongoro are located inside the Maasai region.