Introduction

Welcome to the Enkang' oo lMaasai the Home of the Maasai.

The Maasai are perhaps the most well-known of all Kenyan and Tanzanian groups of people throughout the world. Many travellers of the late nineteenth century told tales of their bravery and courage - men only - no women mentioned here - but women do assert themselves and are equally important in the organisation and control of Maasai society.

The Zanzabari and other east-coast slave-traders feared the the Maasai and avoided their lands, and they also exaggerated their fierceness - to stop other traders from visiting the Maasai ............ And then the Maasai, met the Europeans - in the late nineteenth century. The Europeans - a little more persistent, and motivated by greater economic and missionary goals than the slave-traders of the east-coast penetrated Maasailand. Ostensibly to build a railway to the "Pearl of Africa" - Uganda - but to eventually colonise the Maasai lands and establish the modern state of Kenya.

Under British rule the Maasai were dispossessed of their traditional lands and alienated to the periphery of colonial administration - in Reserves! This marginalisation has subsequently continued under supposedly nationalistic, liberated and independent regimes ...... but these regimes only respond to the corrupt officials, corrupt parliamentarians and international agribusiness - who replace traditional pastoralism, an environmentaly sound way of life and an essential way of life - for a quick buck, the degradation of land and the destruction of viable, and until modern times, sustainable cultures and societies.

This site will contain a history of this alienation, as well as a tribute to the the culture, history and society of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. Eventually, you'll also find information about other Maa speakers and pastoralists of East Africa.

Please have a look at What's New and browse the Contents to see what's available.

Contact Information

Contact me at the addresses below or if you have any comments or queries please go to Feedback.

Web Address: http://maasai.org.

Email: olmorijo@geocities.com.