THE MAASAI MORAN

Seems like am about telling a story; well here it goes…. 

In far Eastern Africa near the river Nile, there exists a people known as the Maasai people. These people are

nomadic pastoralists, in other words, move from place to place with their herds of mostly cattle and sheep. They roam the Great Rift Valley of Kenya and Tanzania.

 The Massai people are known for their distinctive customs but am here to tell you about their age long tradition of lion hunting. Yeah, you heard me right! Not with guns, explosives or whatever you are thinking right now; they hunt with spares.

Lest I forget, the title ‘Moran’ is likened to male grown-ups who have earned respect among the Maasai people. What is this respect? Killing of lions! Morans are the warriors of the Maasai people. 

Nowadays killing of lions are no more by individuals, they are now done by group of about ten Morans. This group hunting is known as olamayio. Hunting of lions are now termed illegal only on provocation. For instance when lions kill and eat the people’s sheep, the warriors go to avenge their loss.

A major question which I know would be on your minds is, what do they do with the lions? Sorry to burst your bubbles, they don’t eat them. The mane and other parts of the lion are used to make products of usage to the people especially the mane. The mane is used as a thing of pride by the warriors, their women braid the mane and the warriors wear them on special occasions. The tail of the lion is seen as the most valuable as it is given due respects before it is thrown away.

It’s of cause not in doubt, that a Maasai Moran is a strong man. It takes years and years of practice in other to take down lions. Don’t think it’s a story. It’s the typical tradition of the Maasai people.