Village Life 101 – Meeting the Maasai Tribe in Tanzania, Africa

One of the most fascinating parts of the African continent is the deep ties to its’ history and culture. Despite advances in technology and a new age of living, the culture and customs of the past have still been carried into the present. This can be seen in the traditions, dialects, and tribes of each country. During our time in Zanzibar, we had the opportunity to visit one of the Maasai Tribe villages. It was an interesting experience transiting from a luxurious hotel to a village of huts and wooden structures. However, we were welcomed with bright smiles and quickly whisked away to begin our course in Village Life 101.

The Maasai Tribe is one of the most well-known tribes in Africa. They inhabit the regions of East Africa specifically Kenya and Tanzania. Maa is the official language of the tribe. The Maasai are a nomadic tribe and are well known for their innovative customs and constructions such as the Maasai shelter, which is a hut made of dried cow dung and soil -which surprisingly keeps a pretty cool temperature inside.

The tribe is also known for their music and dance. Traditional songs are sung vocally and without instruments. Tribe members wear colorful beads during these spirituals and jumping rituals are performed as tribe members sing. The high jumps of the Maasai are known around the world!

Our day in the village was full of music and activities. When we arrived, we were clothed in beads and shukas (patterned cloths). The women and children of the tribe gathered around us and began showcasing their vocal skills. We watched as the men jumped to the beat of the songs and their beads jingled up and down. The women invited us to join hands and jump as well…. jumping in the hot African sun is no joke! I was tired after a few jumps but the joy that the children expressed jumping alongside us gave me the strength to carry on.

After our music and dance lesson, we tried our hand as Maasai warriors and practiced our bow and arrow skills…I sucked. Archery is definitely a talent and one that the Maasai use to capture predators who prey on their flocks or even to snag the tribe’s next meal. One of the tribe members shared that he had killed a lion a few days ago that had come close to the village… they are about that village life! We finished up our day in the village with a tour of the huts. It was fascinating to see how the people live and how much relief the huts provide from the sun.

The women and children led us to our last stop and enticed us to buy some beads and bracelets, which of course we did! We said our goodbyes and thanked the Maasai people for welcoming us into their home and showing us their way of life.