Adam+-+CD+-+SP13


 * Name: Leboo Mejooli **
 * Culture: Maasai **


 * Languages: The language that they speak in my culture can be referred to as Maasai, Masai, and/or Maa. This language is part of the East Nolitic Branch of the Nilo-Saharan language. This language is mainly spoken in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania, about 900,000 people speak this language, and “Maasai” can be referenced as the people who speak the Maa language. **


 * Beliefs: In this culture the people believe in one God that is called or named Ngai. They believe that this God is the creator of everything. They also believe that the sky and the Earth were once connected and that Ngai owned all of the cattle on Earth. So when the Earth and the sky separated they believe that Ngai sent all of the cattle back to Earth so that they could live. To this day they believe that Ngai sent the cattle so that they could also care for them. They also believe that because grass is what cattle eat and it comes from the ground they cannot break the surface, not even to bury the dead. **


 * Values: In the Maasai culture the people value the things they find most important to them. One of the things that they value a lot is livestock, especially cattle. They value livestock a lot because it is their internal currency, it allows them to trade to get outside goods, and because the livestock can provide them with food and milk. Another thing that these people value a lot are children. They value children because they see children as a blessing on the tribe/community. If a woman were to go her whole life without mothering a child it is considered a sad and tragic event. They also value the land because of what they believe their God did and they will not farm the land. Also they believe it is cruel to kill female animals because the female is a the bearer of life. **


 * Behaviors: The people of Maasai live a very peaceful lifestyle. They try, as much as they can, not to harm the land or any animals in any way whatsoever. They try to stay away from farming as much as possible. These people are also very traditional and they believe that what has happened in the past is very true and that affects their lifestyle even up to this day. **


 * Goodwill Ambassador: These characteristics would cause the Goodwill Ambassador to be a very peaceful and simple person. They would be very kind towards others, but might have trouble understanding why other cultures do what they do. **

Citations
 * Undesirable Traits: Some traits about this culture that would cause them to be unsuccessful would be that they use cattle in their lifestyle so much. It would not help them because not very many other cultures use cattle as money and other cultures do not respect cattle as much. Another thing that would make them unsuccessful is that they do not use farming very often and they might not understand what the importance of farming is. Their biggest problem would be understanding the way others go about doing things. **

"Interview With Maasai Village Leader." Interview. Adventures4action. N.p., n.d. Web. .


 * "Maasai (Él Maa)." Maasai Language and Pronunciation. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * "Maasai Herders Breed Fewer, Stronger Cattle to Tackle Climate Change." Africa News Service 25 Jan. 2013. Gale World History In Context. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * "Maasai Religion and Beliefs - Traditional Music & Cultures of Kenya." Maasai Religion and Beliefs - Traditional Music & Cultures of Kenya. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **