1.Becoming
The earliest ancestors of the present day Maasai came from South Sudan in the first millennium AD.
They descended down the Rift valley into central Kenya where the first dialect division took place around 15th century AD. The north and south dialects were formed where different groups split off from the main body and settled. Samburu and Ilchamus remained in the north while the south consisted of a slightly diverse combination of sections including Uasi Nkishu, Irrpurko, illdamat, irrkeekonyokie, Illoitai, illoodokilani, Ildalalekutuk, Irrmatapato, Illarusa, Irrkisongo and Irrparakuo who are presently extinct.
It is not very clear how early pastoralism came into existence in Eastern Africa, however ethnographers have been able to establish shifts from earlier forms of mixed agro – pastoralism to more specialized forms of pastoralism in the nineteenth century. Its also of paramount importance to note the existence of different socio – economic groups among the maasai during the past millenniums. These include the now also extinct sirikwa and tatog pastoral communities, the hunter – gatherer Okiek and subsequently the plain – based irrigation farmers whose existence and way of life would contribute to the world of what is maasai today. As the descent commenced, the maasai simply displaced or assimilated other populations this endeavors motivated by the lush high equatorial grasslands, increased populations among the various section warranted the emergence of alliances which where co-ordinated succefully by the illoibonok. These were individuals and families who through heredity exercised charisma, tribal and spiritual wisdom through their possession of powers which proved vital for the well – being of the community. Consequently, they gained control over the Rift Valley. Total access to strategic resources of water and pastures could be attributed to rapid social, institutional and ritual development of a self – conscious ethnicity. Defence of territory and natural resources though efficient in this community would not cater against all calamities. Unusual severe droughts and disease reduced herds and milk supplies. This necessitated raids to replenish herds because according to their folktales all the cattle on the face of the earth belonged to them.
Their way of life depended on maintenance of adequate military organization with suitable tactics and weapons for defense and attack. Their success thus can be attributed not only on the above but also on a particular form of age – organization which is still central in some parts of Maasailand today.
2.Being
And so it goes … How many of you would think of or thought before that Maasai would farm? Or with all their pride and the essence of Maasai culture, who among you would imagine a Maasai hunter?
For many centuries, the Maasai have been substantiating their cattle herding lifestyle with the above practices in the East African savannah grasslands. Only, respect for cattle dominates our lives. It defines our social relationships, our symbolism and even the idiom of our language. E.g. Meeta Enkiteng Olopeny’. Which translates a cow has no owner. Its translation is a subject for another day.
The figure of a Maasai warrior, perched on one leg gazing across the savannah with a long bladed spear in his hand while tending his cattle has become, the quintessential international image of East Africa in the late twentieth century, if its still not today. Postcards, T – shirts and tourist company logos of all varieties convey us, as a stereotype of a traditional even sometimes meaning a backward people. Is that really true? Maybe, but for me the maasai epitomize a romantic dignity in the understanding that human beings and nature belong to a single order. Having been created, in creation we shall exist. A supreme force, also masters hand or divine wisdom, purposed inner beauty in each uniqueness and diversity. This higher power governs everything. A contrary thought or alternative action results in destruction and eventual death. Kenya, save for the late 2007 post election violence period, has had one of the most successful tourist sectors in the world. It is undeniably true that the Maasai have been successfully “marketed” in convincing us of the benefits to us as a community. How and to what extend is a matter of debate. Despite all these efforts a lot is still compromised in almost all aspects of a society including majorly, economical, social, and political environments.
Economically, pastoralism is well adapted to the environment of the plains. This is because the rainfall is too little and too irregular to sustain the cultivation of cereals. In the 21st century greater challenges are evident considering a couple of factors. First and most importantly land has become the least common denominator defining market relations. Appreciation of this has been rocket science for the Maasai who have increasingly found themselves selling land, a precious private exploitable resource, only to restock their herds to an already overgrazed ecosystem. Because of climatic conditions in this region especially Kajiado district, mobility of the herds is essential. Maasai used to move between seasonal grazing areas and watering points, occupying the drier lowlands in wet season and staying in the higher , wetter areas when the weather is dry. This is not easily possible today since land was privatized several decades ago. Presently old men of the community vigilantly guard their unproductive parcels of land from the neigbours flocks, putting tension to already jeopardized social relations. During the drought of 1999, I watched helplessly as my old man’s herd of ninety eight heads of cattle reduce to only twenty three. This figures are first count testimony. The next year a drive through the village would reveal unimaginable reality. Hundreds of thousands of cattle laid in heaps of bones on the outskirts of manyattas, a testimony to the need in revision of policies in the agricultural sector.
Secondly a gentle storm is brewing on the horizon. Cattle having been critical in defining how we view ourselves as well as having been the main means of mediating relations between ourselves and others, what role do you think the zebras and wildbeests -one of the great wonders of the world- play to aid our existence? Am not sure what your reaction should be, but for us living in the plains at the 21st century, this divine part of the savannah is on a collision course with our endeavours. Like the overpopulated land is not already straining over the burden, this resource for one of the main income earning ministry of our beautiful Nation is not only competing for our diminished pastures and water, but also contributing negatively being a source of ticks as well as breaking into our farms stealing already emaciated food crops. What does the government think? National parks and other conservation measurers have carved our land at the cost restricting us access to pasture and water, which we usually find indispensible during times of drought. It’s a shame that certain arms promoting the tourist industry claim harmony in existence between man and nature in the savannah. If that is the case; why is there still black market for game meat, why do the villagers keep chasing this wildlife everyday, why are they putting up fences that don’t last for two seasons before they put them up again. In the same regard, if tourism forms part of the backbone of economy in this country, why is the rate of unemployment highest in these regions, why is the literacy levels to be desired, why should the health sector in these region meet the needs of the community. 65% of what is Kenya’s tourism sector is brewed in the plains, but how much is left behind to improve life in the savannah ? To add salt to injury, a Masterplan for land development is underway for Isenya kipeto areas. Whats unimaginable is, a clause in this draft which could be law, is convincing locals to give up rights to their land title deeds… Is someone hearing me?
3.Conclusion
It has always been said ‘give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Never before has the meaning of such words resounded with much deeper meaning. The world is grappling with global warming and increase in food prices. How much more challenged is the marginalized? Let me not speak of the very old and very young. You will support them. Won’t you?
I am speaking for the able bodied, the youth, the bracket I have so much experience with. This century I can also call the information age. But which information are we having much excess of ? Free television is propagating the principle of more is better, sophistication is best. Decadence is evident in every media channel, promoting material and in a language appealing to us. Those who have access to the internet sample in equal measure, meaningful mails as well as pornographic pictures. This seen as a sign of civilization drives the youth in hoards to the urban centres. While it is so, I can boldly say the education system has been successful. Success is evident as far as desensitization to culture is concerned. Success is evident if psychological as well as generational gaps are anything to go by. In our society, people stopped relating meaningfully decades ago. Education is making it hard for grandparents to relate with grandchildren due to language barrier. Difference in the general outlook of life is creating a clash between parents and children.
So what does an expert eye see? Depression is on the increase among parents. Many sit in idle chatter contemplating the end of the world. Neither the land they own nor the investment they put into their children can afford them a meaningful retirement benefit. Due to lack of ‘jobs’ in the rural centres trying itinerant business after another, in the patterns all so similar, competition due to lack of business innovation and relevant information, leads to absence of profits. Without sustenance, a majority of them are swimming in hopelessness. Due to peer pressure as well as conformation to societal standards attributed to lack of moral strength, alcoholism and other mundane activities to numb this frustration, is the result and a majority of youth exist in an illusion of living.
Is there a solution, you ask. Yes I can say. Love is the greatest. If all of us get concerned with the Maasai not for any reason but for the pure purpose of the beauty in their existence, each and everyone of us will go out of the way in their respective capacity to promote and pull towards establishment of remedial policies that ensure possibilities of a future for not only the maasai but the rest of the marginalized people of our nation. Promotion of enterprise development is the most important. This I feel is the government’s responsibility because an improved economy is its desire. Through appreciation of self and the unique culture, creative ways of establishing sustainable economic activities should be the objective of all of us. If instead of being made to feel primitive and uncultured, we get recognized and supported in our characteristic hardship environment, more will definitely come out of what seems less. Establishment of information dissemination points like internet cafes as well as regular motivational talks from prominent people from the community will boost the esteem of the youth, increasing a healthy pride in self ensuring discovering of internal treasurers and fulfillment of more destinies.
...walk through the savanna plains of East africa 