Maasai Village Tour

It was very important to me to tour a Maasai village while in Tanzania.  Tanzania has large areas of farmland where the Maasai live and farm as they always have.  They are the only people group also living inside the Conservation Areas because they live in the environment in its natural state.  They danced for us and we went inside one of their homes.  The smoke was so thick I thought I might pass out - there were also baby goats inside and Brett's seat was a bed that had people sleeping on it.  They were kind and I admire them for embracing the tourism industry as another way to help earn income for their people.  I wasn't terribly impressed with the school 'room' where it was obvious they had staged the children to recite the ABCs hoping for a donation in their money box.

You will see Maasai everywhere you look in the Arusha/Kilimanjaro/Serengeti area.  Driving down the highway, you will view them herding large groups of cattle and goats.  You will also see their villages dotted along the landscape - some bigger than others.  I found it fascinating that they begin teaching their children the traditions and skills very early.  Very small children were seen herding goats - you start with herds of goats and not venturing too far from home.  As you get older, the responsibility increases - herding cattle and staying away for a week or more at a time.

Theirs is a fascinating culture - the Maasai Tribe.  I encourage you to Google Maasai and learn more about their history and traditions.

 Village Tour Guides

Acacia thorn branches that encompass their village - keeps the animals out

This group welcomed us with a traditional dance

She has crafts for sale

Inside the Maasai home

Maasai home

Off to work

This is strength.  

I want to be her friend.  :)

Such wisdom....

School children

Chase doing a round of the ABCs. 

Real life shepherd. 

Sample herd - this one has goats and cattle intertwined.  Many times we saw zebras and wildebeest mixed in as well.  

Maasai women at the lodge making sales.  

Time to shop

Drew gave the kids some cookies before we left

Africa.  Maasai at the Pepsi stand.  

From the highway - Maasai men in traditional red cloth with  a village in the background.

From the highway - Maasai village.