Origins and Early History
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The Maasai (also spelled Masai) are a Nilotic ethnic group, originally migrating from the lower Nile Valley (modern-day Sudan) around the 15th century.
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They gradually moved southwards through Kenya and Tanzania, settling in the Great Rift Valley region.
🐄 Culture and Way of Life
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The Maasai are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists, meaning they move with their cattle in search of grazing land and water.
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Cattle are central to their culture — not just for food, but as a symbol of wealth, status, and spiritual significance.
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They also practice age-set rituals, where boys and men pass through stages such as warriorhood (Moran) and elder status.
🗡️ Colonial Contact and Resistance
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During the 19th century, the Maasai controlled a large area of East Africa.
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They resisted colonization by the British and Germans but suffered major setbacks:
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1890s: Ravaged by drought, disease (like rinderpest, which killed cattle), and famine.
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1904 & 1911: They were forced to cede land to the British in Kenya through treaties, losing prime grazing areas.
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🌍 Modern Times
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Today, Maasai live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, near places like the Maasai Mara and Serengeti.
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Though modern laws and land pressure have pushed many to settle or adapt, many still maintain traditional lifestyles.
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They are internationally recognized for their colorful clothing, beadwork, jumping dance (adumu), and strong cultural identity.
🧠 Fun Facts
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The Maasai language is called Maa, but many also speak Swahili and English.
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Despite modernization, the Maasai are highly respected for preserving their traditions.
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Some have become involved in eco-tourism, politics, and conservation efforts, blending the old with the new.
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