Top 9 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting The Maasai
Top 9 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting The Maasai : The Maasai tribe, which is dispersed throughout Kenya and Tanzania, is arguably the most well-known tribe in East Africa. On both sides of the border, they have traditionally been pastoralists who live in the area of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Parks. Maasai villages have hosted visitors from abroad as part of safari tours for many years, making this tribe one of those with the longest-standing connections to the travel and tourism sectors.
This relationship has benefited the Maasai, but it has also led to a number of difficulties because, while tourism can offer a viable alternative source of income for communities, it can also have negative effects if it is not done in a culturally appropriate manner.
There are a few things to think about and keep in mind as you start your adventure before deciding to travel to Kenya or Tanzania and visit a Maasai community. Eight important details are listed below.
There Are Over 1 Million of Them
The Maasai are very numerous. According to the most recent records, there are 430,000 of them in Tanzania and 841,622 of them in Kenya. Despite leading a simple life, the Maasai continue to prosper in the face of our rapidly changing world. In fact, it’s likely that their population has been growing. Their estimated population in 1989 was 377,089!
It is believed that the Maasai came from the Nile Valley in the North when they were much fewer in number. They have passed down this and other historical information through oral tradition for centuries because they speak a spoken language.
Avoid stereotypes and leave your misconceptions at home.
There are many myths about the Maasai, and it’s easy to fall back on stereotypes. All of us have seen pictures of tall, slender men jumping several meters into the air while wearing colorful beads around their necks. But the Maasai culture encompasses much more than just the elements popularized by travel brochures and National Geographic covers.
When visiting the Maasai or any other tribal group in East Africa, it is best to keep an open mind. We shouldn’t be constrained by stereotypes we’ve seen in the media, especially in travel guides, which frequently reduce Maasai culture to a few distinguishing characteristics (like beaded jewelry and athleticism), when in reality, the complex traditions and history of the tribe encompass much more. Be open to gaining new knowledge. You might discover that the experience causes some of your preconceptions to be questioned or even altered.
Why it is important to travel with an ethical and responsible tour operator
The hardest choice to make when visiting a traditional tribe is selecting a trustworthy and responsible travel provider such as Focus East Africa Tours. The Maasai community has been welcoming visitors for many years because of their proximity to the Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks, two of the continent’s largest safari game parks.
The Maasai people have long recognized the value of welcoming visitors to their villages as a way to diversify their economies beyond subsistence and pastoralism. Many remote communities greatly benefit from tourism in terms of income and employment opportunities; however, some travel agencies have turned to abusing the Maasai for their own financial gain. Sometimes, funds are not returned to the community fairly, and frequently, specific requirements are made of the villages in order to appease tourists.
To ensure that tourism is profitable for all parties involved, you should always inquire about the travel agencies sustainable practices as well as the laws and initiatives it has implemented to preserve local culture.
Be Aware Of ‘Display’ or Fake Villages.
The establishment of fake villages—villages built for show—in the Maasai regions near safari national parks has been one significant effect of tourism. Numerous African safari packages take tourists to these locations, which exploit both the tourists and the Maasai people by making them perform a particular stylized show for tourists for an additional fee.
You can be sure that the Maasai tribes will benefit from a more genuine connection with tourists if you visit them using a responsible travel agency. This will give you a more authentic experience in a real village.
Respect Maasai traditions.
The Maasai are a very traditional and proud tribe that has preserved many of its rituals and ways of life for many years. This is perhaps the main draw for us, as outsiders, to travel to their communities and learn about the bond they have cultivated and nurtured with the land on which they live. However, it also means that we must respect their customs and not label them as “wrong” simply because they differ from what we would do in our own lives.
For instance, boys are still sent away for training to become Maasai morans, who are traditionally warriors, in many of the remote communities. While we might view this training as cruel, it is actually an important part of their tribal identity and requires them to hunt and survive in the bush for weeks at a time. It’s critical that we respect and recognize these various cultural customs and practices.
Show an interest in their culture.
Learning more about the storied traditions of this fascinating tribe is one of the main draws for tourists to the Maasai. Instead of merely using your brief visit to snap a few pictures, be inquisitive and make the most of your time by politely asking questions.
The Maasai are a very proud people who value the opportunity to introduce outsiders to their way of life. Spend some time learning about their way of life and consider asking them questions that demonstrate your understanding of them. Travel is, after all, all about interacting with people from different cultures and learning from and sharing with them.
Ask before taking photos or videos.
When traveling, snapping a photo to preserve a memory is frequently an automatic reaction. You should always ask permission before taking photos or recording videos, even though many Maasai communities are used to it given that many of their villages have a long history of working with the tourism sector. Imagine if someone wandered into your town and started taking pictures of your home, family, and way of life without asking.
Asking parents’ permission before taking pictures of children is especially important, but you should always ask permission before taking pictures of anyone.
Most Maasai are extremely hospitable and will be happy to comply, especially if they are wearing traditional attire, which is a huge source of pride for them. Older residents might not appreciate this, so keep that in mind. It’s also important to respect any villager’s decision to decline a photo.
You should also be aware that raising cattle has historically been the Maasai people’s main source of survival and that their livestock is the foundation of their livelihoods. Since a family considers their livestock to be extremely sacred, taking pictures of their animals may be viewed as disrespectful or threatening. As a result, always ask before raising your camera.
Top 9 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting The Maasai
Maasai Mara
Don’t offer money or gifts.
The perception that foreigners are merely traveling for charitable purposes is one of the main issues brought up by the introduction of tourism to isolated communities. As we’ve already mentioned, tourism can play a significant role in helping many communities develop more diverse and sustainable sources of income. However, despite good intentions, giving away money or gifts can have the opposite effect.
When travelers take the chance to give out candy or cash, they risk losing one of the most valuable aspects of traveling—the ability to interact and exchange knowledge across cultures. Even though you might feel compelled to help out, especially children, doing so could encourage begging and support the idea that foreigners are only in the area to help out.
Simply being present in the communities you visit and ensuring that the tour operator you select supports the local economy in the right way are the best ways to give back to those communities. Other ways to contribute include buying locally made goods, which may help a family and the community’s economy.
Be prepared for an adventure.
You may notice that many Maasai communities lack access to many of the necessities and freedoms you take for granted because they are located in harsh, arid environments that are frequently quite remote from sizable urban centers. It’s acceptable to feel a little uneasy about what you see, but it’s crucial to do your research beforehand to ensure that you are ready for the adventure you are embarking on.
It’s important to try where you can and to be as adventurous as you can while you’re there because there may be some things for which you can’t fully prepare. For instance, the blood and milk of a cow are essential components of the traditional Maasai diet. This is how they have survived as semi-nomadic pastoralists in harsh environments, and it is frequently still a significant aspect of their culture, especially when animals are sacrificed ceremoniously.
For some outsiders, this might be unsettling or even distressing, but by keeping an open mind and treating everyone with respect, both of you will feel more at ease. Though doing so might require you to stretch outside of your comfort zone, travel is frequently about doing just that.