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 * __Maasai__**


 * Language**:

The Maasai people speak the Maa language, which is their tribal tongue. Within the Maasai community their language is referred to as Olmaa. This language is an eastern Nilotic language, commonly spoken in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The Maasai language is linked to other Maa language variations. The Maasai people use this language to communicate ideas such as religion, economic factors, cultural traditions, etc. Many of the Maasai can however, speak English due to tourism in the Maasai village and their exposure to the English langauge.


 * Beliefs**:

The outskirts of the Maasai tribe's village is mainly inhabited by individual's of the Christian faith. This has a great influence on the religion of the Maasai. The Maasai believe in one God, whom they refer to as Enkai. In addition to Enkai, Enkare is responsible for supplying and regulating the water for the community. They accept the belief that their God uses water as a way to recompense and chastise the Maasai people. If rain fell frequently, the Maasai concluded that God was happy. On the reverse side, if rain was scarce, God was upset. When rain did come to the Maasai lands, sacrifice was to be offered to God in thanks for the rain. Water remained a significant substance in the Maasai culture. Water to these people is viewed as a resource for the society in addition to the belief that water is a right that the Maasai have that cannot be taken away from them. Water was so important that in areas near rivers or streams where water was not abundant, the waterway was separated into spaces that were to be used separately by people, cattle, and sheep. The Maasai also believed that God gave them cattle. According to the tribe, cattle came to earth by sliding down a rope that was connected to heaven. Another myth concerning the Maasai is one that describes the current connections between the men and women of the culture. The myth explains that the Maasai men and women came from two separate, but equal, tribes. Both groups raised different animals. If women failed to maintain their herd, they traveled to the men's dwellings to live with them. Once they were living with the men, they surrendered their equality and their freedom.


 * Behaviors**:

The Maasai have many distinct behaviors that make them a unique tribe of Africa. The communities within the group are separated into sections known as enkutotos. Enkutotos include a number of families who live with one another and share their pastures, water, and additional resources. If another family wishes to enter an enkutotos, the existing members first hold a meeting to make on an overall decision whether or not to admit the new family. Once a new family joins an enkutotos, the members discuss if relocation is necessary. Moving the site of the Massai's home was very common. The Maasai would reposition themselves between different wetlands in order to allow the land they had previously been living on to be replenished. Another behavior or aspect of the Maasai culture is that the men were in charge. The men commonly made the family's decisions and vocalized for the women. Within the family, girls and boys are brought up together until they reach the age of seven. Throughout life, mothers remain close to their children, particularly their sons.


 * Values**:

The Maasai greatly valued cattle. Cattle are the foundation of their economy and represented the wealth of an individual. The Maasai treasured cattle so much, that as a result, the livestock were seldom slaughtered. Instead of killing the animals, the cattle were often exchanged or sold to meet obligations. Adolescent males were accountable for taking care of the livestock and locating water as well as grassland for the cattle to feed. The Maasai showed their determination to acquire their valued cattle in their role as "cattle rustlers." A "cattle rustler" was an individual who departed to other villages to steal cattle. Maasai also valued their appearance, especially women. The Maasai cover their bodies with tattoos in an assortment of colors and participate in shaving their heads. They also specialize in creating their own jewelry. Women wear decorative necklaces that were bib-like. In addition to necklaces, they wear earrings and bands on their heads. The Maasai are additionally known for their elaborate beadwork.


 * __How has cultural change impacted the Maasai?__**

The Maasai have retained much of their traditional culture such as their language, beliefs, behaviors, and values. Over time they've continued to live in their homeland of Kenya and Tanzania, following their guidelines and established practices. The Maasai are now being exposed to other cultures; however, which may be influencing their culture. Tourism has greatly influenced the culture of the Maasai. The Maasai village has become an area for tourist to get a look into the lives of the Maasai people and to discover their way of living. The tribal members have encounters with an assortment individuals. Since the Maasai village is considered a tourist attraction, people from all areas of the world come to see the Maasai. As a result, the Maasai are exposed to a multitude of other cultures (the cultures of the tourists). Technology plays an increasing role in the Maasai's society. Their culture has changed due to innovations around the world. Some tribe members have the modern convenience of a cell phone. The Maasai use cell phones to communicate with other members of the tribe because the homes of the tribe are far distances apart. Cell phones are also useful to connect with individuals working in the fields. The economic foundation of the Maasai's culture is cattle. The Maasai have had to find more modern ways to make a living to go along with selling/trading cattle. Therefore, they also turned to selling necklaces. The Maasai hand produce beaded jewelry such as necklaces, which they sell to the many tourists that come to see the tribe. The labor that it takes to make the necklaces many times pulls the women who create them away from their home for weeks at a time.
 * Travel**
 * Technology**
 * Commercialism**

"Maasai - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major Holidays, Rites of Passage, Relationships, Living Conditions." Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. [].
 * Secondary Sources:**
 * This source included insight on the various aspects of Maasai life. These characteristics contained information on the Maasai's religion, language, relationships, etc. This source was extremely important to the research that was conducted due to the fact that it touched on nearly all the features of the Maasai's life and culture.

"Maasai and Tech." Wanjiku and Technology. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. [].
 * This document talked about the impact of technology, such as cell phones, on the Maasai's culture. This source was only semi-important due to the fact that it only contributed to the technological impact of the culture.

"Maasai People." The University of Iowa. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. [].
 * This source discussed how cattle are used as the foundation for the Maasai's economy. This source was fairly important because it pin-pointed that the Maasai value cattle.

"USATODAY.com - Maasai Change Lifestyle to Fit Modern Africa." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. 10 Nov. 2004. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. [].
 * This document hits on how commercialism has impacted the Maasai people. This source was also semi-important because it only discussed how the economic factors, such as cattle and jewelry sales, influence the culture.

Schaffer, Daniel. "Dry: three stories of adaptation to Life Without Water." Environment 49.1 (2007): 8+. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 25 Jan. 201
 * Print Source:**
 * This document talked about the specific behaviors of the Maasai, such as the nomadic nature of the people. This source was greatly important because it commented or various parts of the Maasai culture, specifically the behaviors.

Njuguna, Antony. Maasai Herdsmen in Kenya. Photograph. Dry: Three Stories of Adaptation to Life Without Water.(Dry: Life Without Water). Gale Database, Jan. 2007. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. [].
 * Primary Document (Picture):**
 * By looking at this picture, one can gather that the Maasai people use cattle as a way of life. This picture was important to the research due to the fact that it shows how significant the cattle were to the Maasai.

YouTube- Maasai Dance. YouTube- Broadcast Yourself. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. [].
 * Primary Document (Video):**
 * The video clip of the Maasai showed the people of village dancing as well as a peek into their language. In the video one could hear the Maasai people chanting as they performed the dance. This source was greatly important due to the fact that it offered insight into the Maasai culture and a look at the native language of the people.

Phillips, Jacqueline S., and Navaz Peshotan Bhavnagri. "The Maasai's education and empowerment: challenges of a migrant lifestyle." Childhood Education 78.3 (2002): 140+. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 25 Jan. 2011.
 * Academic Journal:**


 * This source explained how education impacts the lives of the Maasai and its influence on the tribe. This source was also semi-important because it helped the reader understand how the Maasai live and are educated versus how we as Americans live and are educated. It was neat to see the differences and similarities of the education process of the Maasai and of the United States.