Images frm the Masai Mara villiage in Kenya. Inspired by the work of Pete Turner and his book "African journey"..



Life of the Masai tribe

The Masai tribe of Kenya lives off the land and has their own customs. They are camera shy to start with and believe that a photograph takes away their "soul' and hence refuse to be photographed unless prior arrangements made. They are essentially a friendly people with a close relationship to the earth and animals. The villiages are mud huts lined with dung in an enclosed area to protect them from wild animals. Food is essentially milk and meat with animal blood and hunting is the main occupation. Families maintain herds of cattle and goats which is also regarded as a sign of wealth. The youngsters in the family are given the task of managing the cattle while grazing.

The Masai are nomadic by nature and have originally originated from the lower Nile valley around15th century and moved towards the great rift valley in Kenya making their home in the game parks of Kenya and Tanzania.. They are representative of Kenyan culture. To be a Masai is a matter of pride. The majority are Christians. Most Masai wear a red blanket to keep them warm but also to scare away lions. The head is often shaved for both men and women who are brides. Their ear is pierced and stretched and decorated with beads and various form of ear rings. Among their many rituals is the “jump around dance” where the men who canjump the highest have the most girl friends.


the women make decorative jewellery that the men wear and they also sell the same to visitors. the money going towards education and daily necessities. Bargaining is a way of life with the Masai usually getting the better deal !! The Masai men practice polygamy and sometimes have several wives. . Most of the Masai speak basic english which is taught in schools. the children when 15 years old leave home and hunt in the forest and set up their own villiages and families. more recently the better educated Masai have taken up jobs in hotels, as tourist guides and even in offices to improve their lives. 

needless to say they make excellent subjects for a photographer and i had the good fortune to be able to walk around a Masai villiage and use my camera freely.

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