Despite the civilization, Africans have maintained traditions that have continually shaped their respective cultures and have been passed down over centuries and millenia.
From the healing dance of the San to the bull jumping of the Hamar. From the famous jumping dance of the Maasai to the grieving culture of the Suki. These traditions has been so fascinating and attractive not only to the people around but further to international tourists.
What makes your culture unique? Join me in exploring the Continent Africa and the most fascinating and enjoyable cultures that you didn't know.
The Maasai
This community occupy the semi-arid of the rift valley of Kenya and Tanzania.
It has a population of about 1,640,000 people and is the most famous not only Africa but the whole world.
They are named after the language 'Maa' hence Maasai means "the people who speak Maa."
They are mostly known for their interesting cultures like
*The jumping dance
*The ceremonial spitting
*Their colourful dressing
*Lion Hunting
The Jumping Dance
The dance is known as "Adamu". It is mostly for the EUNOTO (boys who are transiting to adults). They perform the dance to attract brides and the higher you jump, the higher the chance to get a bride.
The dance includes about 10 days of singing and dancing and they prepare by painting designs on their faces with Ochre.
They also wear colourful beadworks, necklaces and shawls.
The ceremonial spitting
Despite many regarding spitting as a sign of irritation and disregard, here in the Maasai land things are different. A spit is a very important thing such that can not be done to anyone.
The Maasai spit during greeting to show respect and also it's a sign of endosement.
When people are on an agreement of an idea, the should spit on the hand and give hand to each other.
It is also used to with goodluck and give blessings especial to brides and newborn babies.
The Maasai believe that when a baby is born and you say good things about the child it will turn to negative so you have to say bad things about the child and then spit on their forehead, that child will have good and happy life.
Wearing of colourful robes
Dressings among the Maasai was not done anyhowly but was done traditionally.
They were the famously known "Shuka" which is decorated with many colours.
The colours was not just a decoration but a symbolic of some aspects of their tradition.
*Red is for protection from enemies and wild animals as it scares predators like lions even from far distance.
*Orange represents friendship and hospitality
*Blue is for the sky the rains for their cattles
*Yellow is for fertilty and
*Green is for naurishment
Lion Hunting
The Maasai have learned to live with the world animals and other predators.
They are mostly known for their Lion Hunting tradition to prove their manhood.
The Maasai also so not burry their dead.
They believe that when a person dies, that is the end of his life journey in the earth so he/she has to give back to the earth.
The body of the dead is usually smeared with animal blood especially Ox and placed at the middle of the forest for predators to eat.
The Maasai are also mostly known for their courageous warriors (Morans).
These are usually responsible for protecting the communities and the cattles. Their main food is blood, meet and milk.
The Maasai also live in houses called Manyattas which are built by women's and are built from the cattle feaces.
This cultures has attracted many tourists not only as viewers but to participate and enjoy the culture.
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| Tourists visiting the Maasai land |
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You have unfolded the secret about a people who value and carry their culture with them wherever they go without reproach...My antenna is raised for more!
ReplyDeleteThanks... More to come just share and keep in touch
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