The Maasai are a tribal group of East Africa known for being hunters, warriors, and herders. They live separately from conquered tribes and have never taken others as slaves. Maasai culture has separate roles for males and females - males are leaders and warriors while females do farming, childrearing, and building. Maasai are recognizable by their dark skin, thin builds, traditional red clothing, and facial ochre. They are known for their beautiful jewelry-making.
2. Who are the Maasai?
Tribal
group of Eastern Africa
Known for being hunters, warriors, and herders
No longer hunt in most of Africa
Are known to be fearless and helpful to animals and all
people
The Maasai never engaged in slave trade and
have never taken conquered tribes for slaves (but
they have displaced other tribes and taken their
land)
4. What is it like to be a Maasai?
Separate male and female cultures
Males are leaders and organized into groups
Young males must past a test to become men
No official tribe leader or chief
Have a spiritual leader
Can have several wives
Females do most of the farming, childrearing,
cooking AND building
Males carry small stools to sit on. Women are
not allowed to sit anywhere other than the
ground.
5. What do the Maasai look like?
Dark skinned African people
Usually thin and of medium height
Some wear traditional Maasai clothing
and some wear more “Western” clothing
Some cover faces with “ochre” to make it
more red in appearance
Often wear a lot of red
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21. What are we going to do?
Maasai are known throughout African –
and the world- for making beautiful
jewelry
Make your own Maasai-inspired jewerly!
22. The Maasai inspire modern fashion
Images from:
http://www.ispy-
diy.com/2011/11
/my-diy-tribal-
necklace.html