Maasai (not Masai) is the correct spelling of this noble tribe: it means people speaking maa. The Maasai have rightfully demanded pasturing and grazing rights to several of the national parks in both Tanzania and Kenya. The name Masai refers to a person who speaks the Maa language. The Maasai are nomadic people who move from one place to … This knowledge is however, rapidly dwindling due to changes towards a more Western lifestyle, and the influence of modern tourism. The Iloikop wars were a series of wars between the Maasai and a community referred to as Kwavi and later between Maasai and alliance of reformed Kwavi communities. Spear in hand, they are calm and courageous regardless of the danger. The Maasai have always been special. Maasai land now boasts East Africa's finest nature and wildlife areas. Their bright red robes set them apart visually. Of all initiations circumcision is the most important rite of passage in the Maasai society. Enkipaata, Emuratta, Eunoto, Eokoto e-kule, Enkang oo-nkiri, Olngesherr, are the most popular rite of passages and ceremonies in the Maasai society. Many place names in modern-day Kenya and Tanzania correspond to common words and phrases in the Maa language. However, the Bible was translated into the Maa language, which uses the Latin alphabet, and there’s also a Maasai dictionary. In the 1960s, the Maasai began to replace animal-skin with commercial cotton cloth. Facts about Maasai rite of passage. These wars occurred between c.1830 and 1880. The Maasai denote a certain tribe of people living in parts of Kenya and Tanzania and are famous for being fierce, tall warriors. By nature, they are nomadic livestock herders and move to greener pastures as need be. The Maasai are one of the best known tribes in Tanzania. You can easily recognize them by their distinctive red cloth called Shuka. The Maasai tribe stood firm against slavery and lived alongside most of the land's wild animals with an aversion to eating birds and game. In general, the Maa language is mostly spoken and rarely written because of their strong oral tradition. Masai was the incorrect spelling of the British settlers and has remained in current use. Traditionally, shepherds wore capes made from calf hides, and women wore capes of sheepskin. Maasai clothing varies by age, sex, and place. Cows play an extremely vital role in their day to day lives and the Maasai believe that God gave the them all the cattle in the world and that cattle represents a sacred bond between man and God. In case of the Sekenani Maasai, the recent change from a nomadic to a more sedentary lifestyle has not, thus far lead to a dramatic loss of … For a small sampling, the following fairly well-known place names come from the indicated Maasai words; some of these could be found in a good English dictionary. 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