Everything to Know When Visiting Masai Village in Kenya

Hello and welcome to Safariclock Adventures, your gateway to all things Africa. Today I want to share with you what it feels like living in a Masai village and what to expect when you visit. Masai village excursion is almost inevitable when on a safari to Kenya or Tanzania. 

The Masai people are found in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley. They are the dominant ethnic group surrounding the Masai Mara and Serengeti ecosystem. In fact, they can freely move between the two countries.

Maasais once held vast swathes of pre-colonial Kenya including areas where Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city sits. This nomadic, warrior tribe still retains many of their cultural values as they live largely untouched by modern-day civilization. However, most of them speak fluent Swahili and English.

Visiting a Masai village

There is so much to learn when you visit a Masai village. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome from the community elders. A special dance called ‘adumu’ will be performed to entertain you. Young energetic warriors will sing as they jump up and you’ll be encouraged to join.

Masais will then greet you verbally by saying“Sopa” and with a handshake. It is customary to use your right hand and maintain eye contact. You can respond by saying“Sopa” (pronounced soh-pah). Kids don’t shake hands with elders but are touched on their foreheads as a sign of blessing. 

A selected tour guide takes guests around the “bomas’ (homesteads) explaining how the “manyattas” (huts) were built. You will also be taken inside one of the huts and be shown several hacks including how to make fire by rubbing sticks. A lot of traditional stories will also be poured.

Note: Most Masai villages charge entrance fees ranging from $20 – $50 per guest. They also sell handmade crafts and sometimes they request school donations. Prices of these items can be exaggerated, so it’s good to bargain hard if you need to buy a few souvenirs for friends at home.

A little about the Masai culture

Visiting a Masai village gives a chance to learn about the following:

Lifestyle

Masai people are nomadic pastoralists with an emphasis on livestock. Their lifestyle is centered around their cattle which meets their dietary and economic needs. A Maasai man’s wealth is measured in the number of cattle, wives, and children he has. Those with more are highly respected.

The traditional Maasai diet consists of milk, meat, fat, blood, and honey. Bulls, goats, and lambs are slaughtered for meat during ceremonies. To supplement their pastoral lifestyle, masais are embracing other forms of agriculture including crop production. They grow sorghum, millet, and vegetables. 

Shelter

Masais live in traditional structures known as ‘Manyatta’, constructed by women. They are essentially huts, made of wood, mud, and cow dung, with a single entrance. The huts are clustered to form a homestead locally called ‘boma. Several bomas form a masai village 

When building manyattas, several women assemble a framework of wooden poles and twigs,  interweaving and fastening them together. The structure is then covered with a mixture of mud, cow dung, and grass to form the walls. Windows are so tiny that it can be dark inside even on a bright sunny day.

Clothing

Traditionally, the Masai wore animal skin but this has been replaced by fabrics. Shuka is now the most iconic clothing. It is a large piece of cloth, commonly red, integrated with several colors and patterns. The cloth is draped over the shoulder, wrapped around the body, and fastened with a pin or knot. 

Masais near the coastal region wear Kanga or Kikoi, colorful fabrics similar to Kitenge. Those living in the town have also adapted to formal and modern clothing like salwars, pants, shirts, and shoes. Masai sandals are a trademark of the community and it has become one of the best brands in the world.

Body modifications

Masai have notable body modifications including piercing and stretching of earlobes. Body modifications like these were used to inform identity and social status. Both men and women wear metal hoops on their stretched earlobes during special occasions and celebrations.

Piercing and stretching of the lobes would be done using various materials including thorns, twigs, stones, bundles of twigs, and empty film canisters. This practice is no longer common among the masais but they still wear a lot of jewelry crafted from beads and traditional brass.

Masai also circumcises boys as a ritual to transform them into adults. Killing a lion was mandatory before a young man was circumcised but lion hunting has been banned in East Africa. Young girls would also undergo the now-outlawed genital mutilation as an elaborate right of passage.

Art and craft

The Maasai people are well known for their traditional handmade crafts. Every woman in the community must learn the jewelry-making skill. They are exceptionally good at making decorative jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, headbands, wrist and ankle bracelets.

Masai also makes internationally recognized leather items like belts, sandals, and handbags. They also have the best wood carvings in the world. Tourists who visit Masai villages or markets buy these items as souvenirs or as an appreciation of their unique work.

How to get to the Masai village

Most Maasai villages are located in rural Kenya. The nearest one to Nairobi is about 55 km from the city center. If you are not in the country, you must book a flight to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Many local tour agencies operate daily safaris to the destination.

Masai Mara, one of Kenya’s top safari destinations, is surrounded by several Masai villages. Various domestic flights operate between Nairobi and the Masai Mara National Reserve. Flight is the quickest means to reach the destination but you can also use road transport which takes about 5 hours.

Here are some tips for visiting a Maasai village responsibly:

• Choose a tour operator with a reputable tourism record.
• Be respectful of the Maasai people and their culture.
• Ask permission before taking photographs.
• Be aware of your bargaining power when buying souvenirs. 
• Don’t feel pressured to buy something you don’t want.
• Consider donating to a Maasai community.

Final thought

The Maasai people are a fascinating culture with a rich history and unique traditions. Visiting their traditional homesteads can be a great way to learn about their way of life. I find it a real eye-opener into their culture, lifestyle, and traditional beliefs.