The Masai

The Masai are a well-known people of East Africa. They live in Kenya and Tanzania near some of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. The Masai are known for their bright red clothing and beautiful beaded jewelry. Cattle are very important in Masai culture.

Masai Way of Life

The Masai are cattle herders. They believe that all the cattle in the world belong to them as a gift. Cattle provide milk, meat, and blood, which are important parts of the Masai diet. The Masai build their homes from mud, sticks, and cow dung. Their villages are surrounded by fences to protect the cattle from lions.

Masai Culture and Traditions

The Masai are famous for their jumping dance called adumu. Young warriors compete to jump the highest straight up in the air. Masai women create beautiful beaded necklaces and jewelry with bright colors. Each color has a special meaning. Red stands for bravery, blue stands for the sky, and green stands for the land.

Fun Facts

• Masai warriors can jump over 2 feet straight up in the air during their jumping dance.
• The Masai live near Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
• Masai children learn to take care of cattle from a very young age.

Did You Know?

The Masai are one of the few African peoples who have kept their traditional way of life. Even as the world changes around them, many Masai continue to herd cattle as their ancestors did!