1. Introduction: Visiting the Maasai Tribe
A visit to a Maasai tribe is a popular stop on nearly every safari you’ll take through Tanzania and Kenya. After all, it is the “must-see” tribe to see when going to the Serengeti or Masai Mara.
2. What a Maasai Tribe Visit is Really Like
This is the tribe that is in all the brochures and magazines. While we highly recommend stopping at a Maasai village, there are essential things you should know before you go. We’ve all seen those amazing photos of Maasai warriors jumping high in the air with the arid African savanna as their backdrop, offering stunning photographic opportunities.
However, the Maasai tribes of Tanzania are organized and well-schooled regarding monetizing tourist visits.
They can deplete your cash reserves if you’re not careful. Therefore, being prepared and knowing what to expect will ensure you leave with a smile on your face and a culturally enriching experience to remember.
3. The Greeting
Upon our arrival, we were greeted with smiling faces and lively music as we pulled into the gravel parking lot of the village. The Maasai men dressed the males of our group in traditional sarongs while the women adorned the ladies with necklaces and wraps. Feeling included, we followed them into camp as they chanted and sang.
The circular camp consists of mud huts surrounded by a thorn tree fence to protect against wildlife. While livestock is traditionally kept inside the camp, cows were grazing in the nearby fields during our visit. Inside, we began learning about the villagers’ way of life, starting with an entertaining performance of men jumping for joy.
4. The Meaning Behind the Dance
The dance is a rite of passage for male warriors in the Maasai Tribe, where their jumping skills are used to attract a mate. The higher they jump, the more appealing they are to the women. Speaking of the women, they watch the performance while singing and chanting along to a steady beat.
Interestingly, I realized later that this was indeed a mating dance, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the laughter from the girls meant. Were the young men jumping to impress them as much as they were trying to impress the tourists?
It became apparent that the warriors would have performed regardless of our presence, presumably to impress each other as well.
5. Fire-Making Skills in the Maasai Tribe
After expending so much energy, the men demonstrated how to make fire. This skill holds significant pride among them and is essential for survival. They traditionally learn to hunt and thrive alone before returning to the village, showcasing their ability to make fire using only sticks and dried leaves.
In just minutes, the fire was lit, and our warrior beamed with pride at his accomplishment. It’s fantastic to participate in these demonstrations—jumping, singing, and dancing alongside the Maasai enhances the overall experience. Following the performance, we split into smaller groups to enter the Maasai homes.
6. Understanding Maasai Living Quarters
The huts are small, dark, and comprised of mud. We learned that they typically last up to five years before being dismantled and rebuilt. The living quarters are quite limited, with two separate benches for sitting during the day and sleeping at night.
Parents sleep on one side, while young children sleep on the opposite side. Once children reach the age of five, they transition to another hut. Living in such cramped conditions is hard to imagine.
The other half of the hut serves as the kitchen where food is prepared, complete with a hole in the roof to let smoke escape. The huts are comparable in size to a large family tent, yet far less comfortable.
We heard from fellow travelers that the Maasai diet consists primarily of milk, meat, and blood. However, our Maasai guide mentioned they also enjoy oatmeal for breakfast, forage for vegetables, and consume maize.
7. Preparing for the Marketplace
Once our tour of the huts concluded, we were guided to the village center to explore jewelry and traditional crafts. Supporting the local economy is important to us, as this serves as their primary source of income. We had no issue purchasing a souvenir or two within reason.
We picked out a few bracelets and a necklace, only to find that the prices quoted were consistently high, and the response was, “Once you’re finished, we’ll talk.”
8. The Art of Bartering
After concluding shopping, our Maasai guide took us aside to initiate the bartering process privately. He ensured we did not overhear each other’s purchases and started the price at a premium.
For two bracelets and a necklace, the initial price was $75 USD (around $100 Canadian). This was far more than we were prepared to spend on jewelry we might never wear. While Maasai jewelry isn’t my preferred choice, I still wanted to contribute.
When we expressed our hesitance and returned the items, he quickly followed, asking, “How much will you give?” We replied, “It’s okay, you keep it.” Eventually, he agreed to $20 for the two bracelets. Although that was still more than we aimed to spend, we settled on $15 and a Canadian Toonie.
Note: I had previously paid $25 for a handmade bracelet that was beautiful and crafted by a disabled person. However, this Maasai piece was just like many others and fell apart days after I bought it. Nevertheless, I appreciate contributing to the local economy.
9. Visiting the Maasai School
A word of caution: don’t let the Maasai merchants take all your cash. The next stop is the children’s school, where you can make donations to support their education.
Some travelers ended up giving all their cash to the merchants and had little left for donations. While this isn’t catastrophic since all your money ultimately benefits the village, it still feels fulfilling to contribute to a worthy cause.
The school visit was charming, albeit somewhat staged. Children performed their knowledge of the English alphabet and numerical system as if on cue. Our group remained for a short while, capturing photos, and we noticed the children practically repeated the performance when a new group of tourists arrived. It raised questions about whether they were being kept busy for financial gain throughout the day or genuinely engaged in learning. Regardless, the children appeared healthy and joyful.
10. Departing the Maasai Village
On our way back to the vehicles, one of the Maasai merchants approached us with the necklace we initially declined. He pulled us aside and asked if we would pay $20 for it. We agreed.
He attempted to trade the necklace for a smaller, more worn one, but we held our ground, stating, “That’s not the one I wanted.” He smiled, pulled the original necklace back out, and our transaction was finalized. In total, we spent $35 on a couple of Maasai pieces and felt satisfied with our purchases.
This experience reiterated that while it’s nice to buy keepsakes to commemorate your journey and help local communities, you should not feel obligated to make a purchase during a Maasai village visit, as tour companies usually pay an entry fee, contributing to the village’s income.
Some travelers left feeling slightly disappointed about their spending. They felt pressured to meet the quoted prices and later regretted it. I told them, “As long as you obtained something to remind you of your experience, that’s all that matters. If you believed the price was fair at the time, it was justified.”
Dave and I kept our purchase amounts private, as we have become accustomed to negotiating prices over our years of travel. We finally learned to be less frugal, yet we still engage in bargaining when we think the initial price is excessive.
It’s worth noting that some travelers left the village significantly lighter in their wallets. This marked quite a profitable day for the local merchants if I do say so myself.
