Muzuri Projekt

  The most recognizable piece of clothing worn by the Maasai is the shùkà, a sheet of fabric worn wrapped around the body. Animal hides were used up until the mid-20th century, when cotton was introduced instead. The color of Maasai attire varies according to age and gender. After their circumcision, young men will wear black for several months. Older men usually wear red wraparounds, whereas women usually opt for checked, striped, or patterned pieces of cloth. Maasai beadwork is famous for its intricacy, and it is through beadwork that Maasai women express their position in the society. Natural materials such as clay, shells, and ivory were used before trading with the Europeans began in the 19th century. They were then replaced by colorful glass beads, which allow for more detailed beadwork and color patterns. Each of the colors used have a meaning: White symbolizes peace, blue is the color of water, and red is the symbol of warriors and bravery. Most Maasai men and women s...

As supporters of responsible tourism and deep, meaningful travel experiences, we believe it’s important to learn about the people we meet during our expeditions. So join us on a journey of discovery into the culture and history of the Maasai! The Maasai People The Maasai people originated in South Sudan. Their language, known as Maa, is the southernmost of the Nilotic group, including idioms spoken in Ethiopia and Sudan. They migrated to their current homeland between Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. They displaced some of the other tribes that had previously settled in the region, while others were assimilated into their culture. Their main activity was raising cattle, but the Maasai have also been known for centuries as fearsome hunters and warriors. By the mid-19th century Maasai territory was at its largest, extending over pretty much the entirety of modern-day Kenya and half of Tanzania. The period between 1883 and 1902 is the dar...