Photolady2014 wrote:
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.
The Maasai people (Maasai spelling is for people, ... (
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