A People Without A Land
The small groves of acacia trees break up the monotonous roll of the plains, piercing the sky as sentinels of their domain. Their seeds, the lifeblood of the land and the sustenance of the people. These stoic gatherings of trees remain, their numbers dwindling, ensnared in a turmoil foreign to their existence. As they fall, the guardians of their land, the last true plains wither and shrink.
The Maasai people have lived on the rolling Tanzanian savannas for generations with minimal change to the structure or purpose of their life. Their culture and existence centers around livestock, with a man's wealth and stature determined by the number of cattle he possesses. (The Maasai: East Africa) It is a lifestyle that has persisted through the decades, but one that is under assault in this new climate. Instead of having the two rainy seasons common in the area, the recent years have been dry, decimating the sustenance to be found on the savanna. (Kariongi) But that isn't the only threat that the Maasai face.
Because the Maasai exist on the products of their cattle and other livestock, the savanna is imperative to their lifestyle. Without the expanse of land, the ability to live off the blood, milk, and meat would be threatened or extinguished. (Tanzanian Cultural Tour Maasai) Up until now, they have been permitted to roam their cultural lands in a quest for pastures. Now, however, an outside influence is forcing boundaries upon them, preventing them from accessing their lands. The major component of the tourism in Tanzania is based upon the wildlife parks. These parks, however, are threatening the entrenched culture of the Maasai by banning them from grazing sites and water sources. (The Maasai: East Africa) This impact is only magnified by the drought, as well as a growing population, which is causing the farms to extend ever outward in an attempt to feed the nation. These issues, land loss and drought, comprise a twofold blow to the history and the people of the Maasai.
The acacia trees stand as a beacon, directing the herds to an end of the daily struggle. Acacia trees can produce seeds even when it is dry, providing a source of food during the arid dry months. But, these trees are in high demand as a source of charcoal, which provides for the heating and cooking in the major cities. (Kariongi) Charcoal is produced through the burning of the tree, leaving a husk and creating a struggle over this vital resource. If the drought continues, the customs and culture of the Maasai may well sink away into the sunset, leaving the country bereft of a proud, ancient people, and a prominent pillar in their history.
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Hughes, D. T. (2013, November 11). Maasai Tribe, Tanzania. Photo by Jimmy Nelson |
Kariongi, Lukas, and Steve M. Saning'o. "Development, Drought Threaten Future of Tanzania
Pastures." Pulitzer Center. Pulitzer, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. <http://
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Maasai Cultural Tour in Tanzania - Tanzania Cultural tour Maasai - Tanzanian tribes Maasai
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By: Isaac Vernon