TRANSITION INTO ‘MANHOOD’ THE MAASAI WAY IS UNDER ATTACK THANKS TO CULTURAL IMPERIALIZATION

 Left Maasai junior warriors roasting beef meat and right a barbecued sandwich from Macdonald food store 

Seer, soothsayer or visionary are the names given to the people who decide when it’s the right time for the tribe’s initiation age-group rituals, The rituals elevate generations to new levels of seniority. Ultimately the oldest relinquish all power and retire to become highly respected wise men.

Each level is characterized by a name e.g. the two fighting cadres- the youngest and fittest of the generations and the most elite; junior and senior warriors, are known as il-moran. They are bound to each other by a lifelong oath administered during the initiation ceremonies when they are ushered into manhood. The passage from childhood to junior warrior is marked by circumcision.

The ceremony takes place every twelve to fifteen years, according to the movement of the stars and planets in the southern skies. The initiate is prepared for the ceremony by his mother, who shaves his head. He is bathed with milk as a blessing to cover for what he is about to face. On the material day his bond partner’s hold his legs apart as the circumciser goes about his business. No matter how intense the pain, the initiate must never flinch, not even tremor of an eyelid must indicate discomfort, for the same would bring disgrace upon himself, his family and his clan. The cut takes a minute, the initiations lasts a month. During this time the initiates roam the bush in black robes shooting down birds with blunt arrowheads tipped with resin gum. The initiates are forbidden to marry during these period, after which the prettiest of the uncircumcised maidens, known as entito , are theirs to enjoy but not to make pregnant.

 The second stage of a man’ elevation from warrior into junior elder is marked by a four-to five day-long inside a specially built enclosure. What goes on inside the’ theatre’ is finalized by a ceremony where the enclosure is set on fire which razes to the ground.  One of the activities in the closure include the age-mates choosing a leader among themselves; a man of flawless physique and outstanding moral character. Their choice is confirmed by the chief laibon, and the leader, olutono is invited to choose a wife, followed by the other members.

Sadly this rich culture full of colour is coming into an end. Clan elders have been persuaded by the government to abandon the warrior system for it is considered to   contribute to retarding of development . Really?