Long TripsPast Trips

A Visit to a Masai Village

No visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit to a Masai Village. We paid $10 each to visit a Masai village near Masai Mara National Reserve. The money goes to buy school uniforms for the children of the village.

Upon arrival at the Masai village, we were greeting with a traditional dance used to attract a mate.

The warrior who can jump the highest gets the woman. This guy is a pretty high jumper, but I think he’s still single.

The homes line the perimeter of the village and the open area in the center is where the cattle return at night.  This village had 220 inhabitants and 500 cattle.

Masai Home
Children in a Masai Village
People sitting in the open area that will soon be filled with cows.
View of the open area and homes
View of the open area and homes
Masai men and home
Children playing
Small corral for the baby animals to keep them safe from the hyenas at night.
Animals returning from a day of grazing

The homes are very basic and are made of mud and sticks.  Since termites exists in large numbers in this region, the homes have to be rebuilt every nine years.

Exterior of home

Entering the home. Although we asked, we were never told what the bucket was for. Maybe it’s to wash clothes in??

The homes are very small.  The main room consists of a bench and the kitchen.

Kitchen
Kitchen shelves with small window
Where food is cooked

To the right of the kitchen is the parents bedroom which is a tightened cow skin.  Children sleep with the parents to the age of three. I didn’t take a picture of this room since a woman was nursing her baby on the bed.

In front of the parents’ room is the guest room. Every Masai home has a place to welcome guests.

Guest room

Upon entering, to the right is a small room where the goat and baby cow spend the night.

To the left of the kitchen is the children’s bedroom.  This particular room sleeps three children.

Storage area in children’s room
Bed for three children: note the cow hide under the fabric

There is no electricity and no windows.  There is only one small vent above the cooking area for ventilation and one small hole in the children’s room.

There is no running water.  All personal bathroom needs are taken care of in the bush.

A different way of life that I was fortunate to have a peek at.

~Bella

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