Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

The Maasai people (Maasai spelling is for people, Masai is for the land) are colorful unique and when they sing it is mesmerizing. The tonal quality of the voices together is really quite beautiful. They came out and did a traditional welcome song and dance. The clothing and jewelry are not just for us, it is what you will see them wearing if you pass them on the road. Young kids however wear "western" style clothing. The men do wear "western" style clothing as well depending on their job and what they are doing. In the last 2 photos you will see Bryan, he was one of our guides and quite young to be a guide. His dad is a guide and he grew up guiding with his dad. Bryan is also Maasai and he could not help himself and joined in and danced and sang. His smile says it all! Not many have any education and at least one of our guides not past 8th grade. However, some who did get education that are guides now have gone on the guide school and have ratings that mean they make more money. They do a lot of studying of the animals, land and plants. They are very knowledgeable. However, many you see in the photos do not have "outside" jobs, just tending cattle.

These people live quite simple lives that evolve around their cattle. They determine ones wealth on how many cows and children they have. A man still gives cows to the woman's family upon marriage and marriages are still arranged. I'm not sure they all are, but many including a couple of our guides had arranged marriages. I said probably no cows for me, they said maybe 5. I said because I'm old and he said yes!, Ha, nothing like honesty!) Men are also expected to have more than one wife. I ask about jealousy etc. and they said there is not jealousy. Each woman has her own house, which she builds herself. I will share photos of soon.

Enjoy, I wish I had sound to go with the photos. I'm not by any account a people photographer. But these people really capture my heart.

We had just arrived and they were inside their village waiting to come out and greet us.

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The men come out first, followed by the women.

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The sun was just coming up.

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There were often 40 or so balloons going up right before sunrise.

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The silver decorations are new in the past 10 years. The beads they have used for a long time. Everyone seems to have the silver discs now.

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Bryan our 25 year old guide.

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I think his smile says it all!

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

HRoss Loc: Longmont, CO

Wonderful photos of a wonderful people. Thanks

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Great photos. Is there a reason the older men seem to be missing a bottom front tooth?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

What a great experience and wonderful photographs.
--Bob

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Wow, you noticed! Yes and it is both men and women. Back when lock jaw was a problem they removed the bottom tooth so they could eat through their version of a straw. Although lock jaw is not a big problem now it has remained a tradition. Perhaps not all have it done now, but our 25 year old guide had his removed.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

what I love most is the fact that they all wear COLOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! most people I know are scared to do so..

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Wow - what a wonderful set!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Excellent images Beth.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Outstanding photos!

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Well done. This is a very interesting set of photos.

Stephan G

Sopa!

Thank you very much for sharing these images with us.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

LOL, I was wondering the same thing?
But a wonderful set of pictures of the people and the land.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Wow, how interesting.
Thanks for the Pictures. Great set.
Looks like a really nice time.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana