Karibu magazine 2nd Edition

practice is no longer allowed by the government.
One can see there would be no lions left!
Marriage
Maasai marriages are arranged by the elders, without
consulting the bride or mother. Maasai women
have (had) few rights, although things are changing,
particularly with the push to educate girls.
Maasai girls are a source of wealth in the family. Before
female circumcision was stopped, the Maasai
girls were circumcised between ages 11-13 and afterwards
married to a man chosen by her father in
exchange of cattle and cash! Divorce is not allowed
in Maasai community except in cases of physical
abuse. Once divorced, the woman will never leave
her former husband’s family home; nor be allowed
to marry again, even if her divorced husband
dies or she’s young enough herself to marry once
again. She gets inherited by her husband›s brother
(nothing sexual) and becomes one of the multiples
wives. Polygamy is very common among the Maasai
people. Sexual relations between blood relations
in the same clan is considered a taboo among
the Maasai.
Family role
The Maasai men speak for women and make decisions
in the family. Male elders decide community
matters. Maasai men are responsible for herding
cattle, they carry around spears to protect their
cattles against wild animals like lions and build the
fences and sheds around the homes for protection.
The women look after young children, milk cattle,
build the huts, collect firewood, prepare food and
travel many miles to fetch water.
Maasai community changing.
With the rising challenges of the 21st Century,
many Maasai traditions are changing. The introduction
of formal education, especially for girls is
rising and many young women no longer undergo
circumcision (Clitoridectomy). The Maasai tribal
leadership is loosing its power and emerging western
forms of leadership and governance.
**Karibu Magazine welcomes Kenyans wishing
to teach others about their community/Culture to
contact the editor.
1ST EDITION | JULY 2016 49