Maasai Culture and Music

My music paper on the Maasai people and music

Preservation of Maasai culture through Music

In a world that is constantly changing, culture is constantly being lost. This is a sad, but true fact that is being faced by many third world countries. Due to lack of education and lack of writing abilities, traditions are rapidly becoming unknown and unappreciated. Due to the generations dying off, culture and song and dance are also dying. As the middle generation has had an education and is now finding modern jobs, culture and heritage are being left by the way side. However, this current generation of youth are experiencing the most culture drain due to modernized schooling which takes the child out of the family influence and home life, leaving the stories and songs that are usually taught in childhood. These reasons combined are the reasons why music is so vital to the preservation of the Maasai history.

The Maasai people are some of the most well known people of Africa because of their ferocity and warrior lifestyle. Maasai is an ethnic group of East Africa which has about 22 tribes inside the Maasai sect all speaking the Maa language (Mashauri). Before the European invasion into Africa, Maasai were all nomadic, living where their cattle lived. At first the Europeans feared the Maasai until the Europeans decided they wanted the fertile land in the Northern part of Kenya that was Maasai controlled . A civil war broke out and due to the severe lack of Maasai deaths from disease, they were relocated to different terrain and reservations. This agreement was called the 1904 Maasai Agreement which reduced their territory by two thirds (Finke). Since the Agreement, Maasai people still continue to be allocated to certain areas and are still losing land. The loss of land and increase in National parks is causing the Maasai to become permanent beings, which also allows them to receive a permanent education but makes raising livestock a harder challenge. Since Tanzania’s independence, villagazation has been promoted to encourage tribes to settle down and become bomas existing of multiple families (Kitumusote).

Maasai are very respectful of elders and warriors. Therefore, specific age sets for men are representative of the respect or lack of respect that should be given to the males in the community. Each age set is about 15 years wide and comprised of all the boys that were born during that 15 year period. Children in the Maasai culture are viewed with having responsibility. Often times, children as young as four or five are in charge of a herd of sheep or goats. As the child matures, or proves himself, he will be in charge of more animals. Boy’s do not have any rights to decoration or marriage until after circumcision and initiation.Moran (singular) or Morani (plural) are the warriors who are the most respected of the community. Morani are the traditional “physical guardians of Maasai society” who are in charge of fighting other tribes, guard cattle, and search for new pastures (Finke). There are three periods of warrior hood including Sipoli, newly circumcised; Ol Murrani Barnot, junior warriors; and Ol Murrani Botor, the senior warriors (Finke). Once a man has reached Ol Murrani Botor, he is allowed to go home to marry and start a family.

There is importance behind the tools of the people as well. Sticks are used by both women and men. The sticks used by the women are called esiteti and the men’s are called ilmeleleke or rungu which are hard, black wood stick which is carried everywhere that the Moran goes which is used as a weapon or tool for herding animals (Mashauri). The ilmeleleke is very symbolic and representative of life and feelings and “represent’s a man’s life itself” (Mashauri). The age of the man depends on where the rungu is being held. Moran’s hold the ilmeleleke at the head where it has been “circumcised” and is clean. The elder’s hold the stick in the middle and the children at the bottom where it has been in the dirt because it has been in the ground representing the uncleanliness from uncircumcision. Elder’s are men who are past senior warrior hood. There are many stages in elder hood, but there is no centralized authority. The elder’s make decisions together and rarely are those decisions challenged by the younger generations (Finke). Also, Morani can show their feelings through the use of their ilmeleleke. If a Moran enters into the boma with the rangu across his shoulders and his arms hanging across, he is telling everyone he is tired and will not be sleeping with any of his wives that night. Similarly if he comes in and sits down and places the ilmeleleke horizontally in front of his knee and applies pressure to the middle of the stick using his knee, he is informing everyone that he is hungry. The ilmeleleke is used not only for practical use, but also has an unspoken language behind it.

Like all traditional music of East Africa, Maasai music has a purpose and is based off tradition. Maasai music involves no use of drums or “instruments” although the voice, body, and jewelry is considered as an instrument. Occasionally horns from the cudu will also be used as a supplemental instrument (Mashauri). The reason Maasai do not use drums is because they believe to have a “better” use of the cow hide such as clothing. Hezron Mashauri, Waarusha Maasai and graduate in Music from MakumiraMaasai comes from engululu’s and grunt’s. An englulu is a high pitched yell for excitement from a woman. Grunt’s serve as the women which are deep noises coming only from the men. They are something that Mashuari says, “just comes on performance, not something that is fixed to be there. If you get excited, then you can apply it.” Together these two noises make up for the use of drums and give Maasai music a specific sound. The purpose behind the music and dancing is enjoyment. This is the way to express feelings and emotion. Music allows the hard life of the Maasai people, especially those who are herders, because it removes loneliness. “You are not alone if you are only with cows but have music. Music is somebody that you need to be together. [With music] you are not alone” (Mashauri).

Because of the gaps in the generational pass down of traditions, music plays a large role in preserving the original language of Maa. Music is sometimes the only way in which certain traditions have survived due to the lack of any written traditions. Songs and chants often preserve the knowledge of traditional medicine, information about herding animals, gathering wild food, and the type of land Maasai live on (Kitumusote). Maasai music retains the music, traditions, and dance through singing and telling of stories that have been passed down over the many generations, since the beginning of the Maasai culture. 

Music including singing and dancing is not just for special occasions, but also for the every day life of the Maasai people. Music ceremonies lasting for boy’s circumcision shows community amongst the people. These are often some of the biggest celebrations because they only happen every seven to fifteen years and symbolize the most important transition in a boy’s life. Similarly, as a child is born, the mother or community will sing for the child to calm it down when upset. However, as the child grows older and becomes more independent, the child is then responsible for singing to himself  to calm himself down (Helena). Because a large part of the Maasai life is based around cattle, even the cattle play a role in music. Three women Naisho, Helena, and Ngoilelo are Maasai wives and mothers from Engutukoiti Kijiji area outside Arusha, Tanzania who say a song is sang for the cattle each night as to calm them down and bring them inside the boma without having to use extra energy. Songs are also used by the boys and men who are out with the cattle each day. They believe that by singing songs and chanting, wild and threatening animals will be scared away from their herds. Although the music exists on a daily basis, it is only for special occasions and church that the women wear the wide necklaces. When the topic of these necklaces came up, the women became very proud and wanted to show off their beauties.

Music is obviously used for many different purposes in both every day life and the special celebrations that occur. Often times, music is used as a gathering call to the neighboring bomas. “For example when baby boy is born they apply Engululu 3 times so everyone knows a baby boy is somewhere. So then people come and find the baby and have a party. For a girl it is 4 times” (Mashauri). On the opposite end, “When men die in Waarusha, it is 3 days of solemn for men, 4 days for women. When person dies in Maasai there is no music, it is a time when everyone is silent. You can say it is a type of music, to be silent” (Mashauri). Music is used during these instances to show the community the celebration of a new life along with the mourning of a death.

Also, music is used in celebration, not just to invite people, but also to show emotion. Ngoilelo and her son, Ndoipo who is her firstborn and acts as the father of the boma because Ngoilelo’s husband has many wives with many bomas. They live in a boma with Ndoipo’s three younger sisters and new wife with circular homes made from  mud, sticks, and a coating of animal dung. These homes can last up to more than 10 years if taken care of properly. The walls are similar to cork board in the sense that knives and pointed objects can be held by being stuck in the wall. At Ndoipo’s wedding celebration, many people came bringing animals as gifts for the new couple. The celebrations lasted for almost seven days with many people coming from all over.  Wedding songs are traditional and ceremonial. However, they never mention the word wedding or the names of either party. One song can last many hours with different variations placed inside. When asked if they became tired after such a long song, Ngolilelo’s answer was “you cannot get tired when you are excited!”

Due to the challenging nature of the Maasai lifestyle from being displaced on “their” land to constant movement and travel with out much food, some kind of escape from the hardships of life is needed. That escape has proven to show itself as music and dance which bring happiness and excitement along with helping to preserve the cultural history. Music is the key to the pass down of culture through the generations as today’s generation is missing out on so much of the cultural experience that comes during the early years. Music helps define each part of the life of the Maasai people along with retaining Maa and symbolic representing major events. Music also acts as an invitation to the other’s in the community as they are able to hear music and singing or engululus and know what has occurred in the boma nearby. The Maasai life is very symbolic itself through the importance of the different age sets and role of men and women. Similarly, music will never cease to keep the Maasai culture intact.

Works Cited

Finke, Jens. "Maasai Culture." Blue Gecko. Jens Finke, 2007. Web. 06 May 2011. <http:// www.bluegecko.org/kenya/tribes/maasai/history.htm>.

Helena. Personal Interview by Catherine Bean. May 8, 2011. 10 May 2011.

Kitumusote, . "History of Maasai." Kitumusote. N.p., 2006. Web. 07 May 2011. <http:// www.kitumusote.org/history>

Mashauri, Hezron. Personal Interview by Catherine Bean. May 5, 2011.

Naisho. Personal Interview by Catherine Bean. May 8, 2011.

Ngoilelo. Personal Interview by Catherine Bean. May 8, 2011. 

Jumapili

My African Sunday:

On Sunday morning/Saturday night we went to the airport at about 1am to pick up Brittany and Morgan from their 10 day adventure in South Africa. We made signs and cupcakes. They had no idea we were coming and were skeptical if the taxi driver even remembered.

SO excited!

I had the opportunity to go to church with some of the ladies at the peanutbutter factory. I woke up eartly, got on the Daladala, and headed out to the area they live in. Victoria and I walked to church in the rain huddled under an umbrella. 

I was most definitely the only mzungu to be at church and therefore had many looks. As church began, I was invited to stand up and greet the congregation. Omega had prepared me for this before I left so I said “Bwana Yesu asifiwe! Ninampenda Jesu!” which means blessings from the Lord, I love Jesus. I got some chuckles and big “AMEN!”’s. The entire service was in swahili with lots of thanks to the Lord, some talk about Israel, and some reading from John. Once again, like the church at Lorevani, we gave offering 3 times. I loved watching the chior stand up and dance all together with passion for the Lord.

After the 2nd go around of the offering a sweet little girl ran up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. She came and sat down with me and cuddled in my lap and would not leave my side till her sister came and took her because they were leaving.

After the service there was an auction which I suppose was to raise money for the church. The things for sale included really tall grass for cows (about 10 feet tall), lettuce, cucumbers (about 60 of them), and a live chicken. Everything was being sold super cheap. I was watching and observing and just taking it all in when all of a sudden I hear “mia saba kwa mzungu!” from one of the elders of the church. Then a woman brought me 8 cucumbers as a gift from this kind man. 

pretty sweet Maasai tie made out of beads. It was AWESOME!

After a quick nap and some food, I was off for my next adventure with the Roomie and Hezron, one of our music professors. Hezron is a Maasai who lives a modernized life in the Arusha area. Together, we went out to the Engutukoiti Kijiji area near the camel safaris so I could get interviews from traditional Maasai people for my paper on the preservation of the Maasai through music. We met up with one of Hezron’s Maasai friends who took us to his boma  to meet his mother, wife, and sister.

We sat in their hut for about an hour and a half, covered with flies, asking questions and having Hezron translate. I fell in love with mama, as I do with most elderly people. I asked her how old she was and she said 100 (as if the world depended on it). Well, let me tell you, she is not 100, however they do not keep track of dates or special occasions so many Maasai have no idea how old they are. I told her that I loved her and then she said I love you too so I am going to give you a gift! This was the only sentence out of the hour and a half convo that was spoken in Swahili instead of Maa. She gave me a beautiful orange, white, and blue beaded bracelet. 

Because music is part of a feeling for the Maasai, it can’t be sung on cue. Therefore, when we would ask questions the ladies would tell us they did not feel the music right now but then as we continued, the more they talked about something, they would begin to dance slightly then start singing. It was wonderful to see the pride they take in their culture and traditions. 

Mama Helena is on the left and her daughter Ngoilelo on the right. They can't be more than 12-15 years apart although they are mother and daughter

their boma and the hut of Hezron's friend, Paulo--
the small, tiny square on the hut is the only window and its not more than 8 inches tall and that is BIG window for a Maasai home

We then carried on to the next boma where we met a mama who has acuired her own boma because her husband has 3 other wives, so each has their own boma for their family. Polygamy is very common in Maasai life because women are the milkers of cows, greeters of guests, and responsibility in the home while children are the caretakers of the animals when out grazing. Because men have many animals, they need many wives to help care for the animals and produce many children who will similarly do the same. She has 3 daughters and her firstborn son who is still alive out of the 7 children she has had. Her mother also lives in the boma with them.

Mama was a beautiful woman who didn’t talk much but you could tell she wanted to be your friend. Her oldest son had just gotten married and the marriage ceremony that had lasted for 7 days ended on Saturday. He is most likely barely 20 alhtough they say he is 23. His new wife who is extremely pregnant so that he knows she can produce children is not any older than 15 or 16. We asked if this would be his only wife and before he responded, mama spoke out with passion that it most definitely would be and he agreed. They talked to us about the music at the ceremony and how most songs last for hours on end. I asked if they got tired of dancing or singing and she replied in shock, “NO! You cannot become tired when you are excited!” 

her firstborn son who is newly married and because he is the only male at the boma he acts as though he is the father figure/ husband to mama when it comes to rules and regulations and permission

We then went outside her hut, which was shaped differently than the first which was separated into many rooms. This hut had a partial divider made from slats of wood to keep the sun from overflowing into the hut and a circular area with a hole dug for the fire for cooking. Behind the fire was her bed which was partitioned off by wooden slats on each side. I sat on her cowhide mattress while we talked. Outside we met the 3 daughters and the new wife. They were all milking the goats. I wanted to try so I walked over to the new wife and communicated through motions that I wanted to try. I think that the goats are afraid of mzungus too. She chased after the goat who had run away from me and then held it so I could milk it. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was successful and I did not spill any... except that little bit that squirted my skirt.

keep in mind, she is 9 months preggo

we were there long enough to watch the sun go completely down, it was one of the best days I have had here

this is grandma

somehow they acquired this teddy bear which they put above the goat pen to scare away the hyenas. He has goggles and a hat.

the new wifey and the youngest daughter

This is grandma

hen mama asked if we wanted chai, you don’t ever say no. As the Maasai culture of hospitality is, you always have chai ready. So she brought us chai made from.... GOAT MILK! Yes, from those goats they were milking! It was delicious too. 

Mama and I drinking some chai

Me, Hezron, and the Roomie

We took pictures with the family, said congratulations to the new couple and to their baby who will be born any day now. 

While we were inside talking and I was sitting on her bed, they asked if I wanted to live like Maasai and if I could (handle to) stay out there. I told them I would love to but I still have school. And really, I would love to. She kept telling me I could sleep on her bed. Then after we went outside she asked me if I wanted to stay the night so that I could sing the cattle to sleep. I thought this was funny, but oh how I would love to spend at least a night, or a few out in a boma in the middle of no where. 

(I will post my paper that I wrote if any one is interested in the Maasai culture and music--but keep in mind, I am no expert.)

Oh and I almost forgot, they told me that when the wife is going to go into labor she has to walk for about an hour to the nearest health care facility, which I can tell you is another mud hut and a doctor who has less training in the medical field than an American nurse would who will then deliver the baby. I cannot imagine having contractions and making the trek at whatever time of day that is an hour away in the hot sun or the middle of the pitch black night and through the rough terrain.

Community

Community: the word to define this weekend. 

I had the humbling opportunity to spend the weekend with a local family at the base of Mt. Meru from Friday to Sunday. Friday afternoon we showed up to their church to receive a SPECTACULAR choir/Maasai performance. I hope these videos work, if you would like to see more, shoot me an email and I can send you them or send you the recording I took on my voice recorder which will play on iTunes. Lemme know! 

Maasai choir

The Maasai don't use drums or any form of percussion,
therefore the necklaces and beads on their dresses serve as the beat

Jacob--he is 73 and I loved him. I wish I could speak Swahili just so I can talk to him

 We went home with a girl named Catherine (she's a music student at the University I take school--she is 28) and her mom. Catherine's father is working in Zanzibar and two of her siblings are in middle/high school at a boarding school in Arusha. The most moving thing from this weekend was being able to witness the peace and joy they had after Catherine's brother died 9 months ago at the waterfall we went to Saturday. She referred to him as her best friend, he was only 2 or 3 years younger than she was. Once we walked over a makeshift bridge and through some corn fields, we were spoiled with a delicious African dinner! We had some form of banana stew (which was surprisingly delicious) and the best meat I have had yet and lots of fresh fruit for dessert. One of their neighbors was there to help Mama Auera cook. We then sat around and talked and read a chapter of the Bible together before going to bed. Catherine read in Swahili out loud while we followed along in English. I loved the family atmosphere of those 30 minutes where we read and prayed. I hope that this will be something I will do with my family in many many many years from now.

The next morning we woke up and went hiking up the first ridge of Mt. Meru with all of us American students and at least one or two people from our host families. In total, there was probably 35 of us hiking up and down Mt. Meru to see the beautiful waterfall that was HUGE! This was a very, very humbling experience for me. This was one of the hardest and most physically challenging things I have yet to do. This was the first time I can remember not being able to carry my own weight. I was about a quarter up the most challenging part of the climb and didn’t think I could make it any farther. Some of the dads from the families were hiking in the back with us and just chugging along (because they have done this numerous times) while the rest of us were DYING! One of the men noticed my struggles and offered to help me by carrying my bag. It took some debating within myself before I became humbled and handed him my bag. That was the only reason I made it through the trip was because Lucas was willing to carry my bag. 

top of the ridge

The rest of the hike was pleasantly enjoyable as we walked along a ridge, through a pine tree forest, tasted some wild berries, and journeyed down the other side of the ridge, and then through the river bed. The river was an instant reminder of the creek at our ranch. It was such a wonderful familiarity that brought warmth to my heart. Then we saw the waterfall. Oh my, it was breath taking! It was HUGE, beautiful, magnificent. It reminded me of God's presence and the beauty I know He takes in His creation.

PINE TREES in AFRICA!

looked just like the creek at the ranch!

the WATERFALL!

huge and beautiful

Catherine & Catherine

We climbed up to the ridge in the waterfall!!!

hanging from a vine

wild berries I tried

 

the hills literally rolled

The hike back was just as rough, trying to climb back up the steep ridge on all fours and then collapsing at the top. We finally made it back home after a long walk back and everyone collapsed in the grass of Catherine's house. I also never thought my legs would literally give out until we were on the last part of our climb down. Some of the men bought us all sodas and required us to each drink one and eat a banana. I was somehow forced into drinking two. That night we had the best pasta I have had yet. We had spaghetti with tomato sauce and mmmm mmm mmm, it was yummy! Catherine had to go back to school to practice for her music exams & all of her aunts and uncles came over for dinner. We all laughed as we attempted to communicate in our broken swahili and their broken english. We read through some more of the Bible and hit the sack early because we were exhausted from our hike.

The next morning we went back to the church where the performance was held and attended the "short" church service that lasted a solid 2 hours in pure Swahili. The message was on the parable of the seed and the different soils it tries to grow in. We were caught off gaurd after we gave our offering that we were supposed to go up and give it 3 times total--we ran out of money. We then all walked to another families house where we were served the huge African portions of rice, beans, and meat. They all then walked us to the end of town where Mama Auera insisted someone come pick us up in her car and take us home. I told her we didn't have any money and she assured me not to worry that it was her pleasure. After all she had done for me this weekend, she still continued to amaze me. 

I was blown away by the selflessness these people had. They did not get paid for this weekend, Arcadia gave the choir some form of a monetary donation, but the families do not receive any money from the weekend.  Still, out of the graciousness of their heart, they fed us, gave us a place to sleep, laughed with us, shared their stories, patiently tried to listen to us butcher swahili, and make us feel as part of their family. It was so refreshing to be in a Christian environment and be in a home where the Bible and their beliefs were a fundamental part of everyday life. 

This week has been a trying week for me as it has marked my 1 month here and I feel a little disappointed in myself for not finding an organization in which I have completely fallen in love with and pour my heart out to. However, Wilson & Cody have graciously reminded me that I do not need to have my sights set so wide that my main purpose is not just spreading God's love to the East Africans, but more so making that my everyday mission to everyone I interact with on an everday basis. I feel like this was something I knew, but needed to hear it for it to truly resonate.

I continue to remind myself, this is God's 4 month trip, not mine. It is God's will I am living out, not mine. It is God's time I am given, not mine. It is God's words that I pray to come out of my mouth, not mine. 

Romans 9:17 -- I raised you up for this very purpose, that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

Joyfully His,

Cathy

PS: I just booked my trip in two weeks to Uganda. If you want something, let me know!

Hip hop a potamus & rhinoceros

   

it's like the tree from the Lion King

eating some corn we bought on the road

Howdy y’all!

I hope your weekend was delightful and that you are starting off your week with an overflowing joy coming from the Lord. My weekend was great, very tiring, but great. Thursday we visited the African Court on Human and People’s Rights. They do not do any criminal cases, only Human Rights. This is where  We went on our group safari to Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater along with visiting a Maasai tribe. I was a little hesitant to go because I went on a safari in Kenya and I am becoming so anxious to have a weekend where I have enough time to make the day long journey to Mombasa. I am glad I went though, it was a completely different experience than my first. First off, because it is “rainy” season instead of “dry” season, everything is luscious and green. Secondly, I was able to see some of the animals I have not yet seen before such as the hippo & rhino. Third, we had a guide we called Babu (grandpa) who has been doing safari tours for years and years and years. He is an old Maasai with gray hair and a beard. If you think of an old grandpa who loves to tell stories, teach you things, and make you learn things for yourself instead of just get the answer from someone else, then you are thinking of Babu. I have put lots and lots of pictures up so you are able to see the animals!

African Court on Human and People's Rights

We spent Friday night at a campsite/lodge outside of Lake Manyara so we could wake up early the next morning and go to Ngorogoro. Saturday morning we were able to go to Tepilit Ole Saitoti’s Maasai village. He wrote The World’s of a Maasai Warrior which is one of the books we had to read before we arrived in Arusha. He has written another book and the movie The Man of the Serengeti was made after him. We met his family, consisting of many wives and children, and his sister who is now very old but was very influential in his life. His youngest wife is close to the same age as his oldest daughter. Maasai believe in polygamy because it is their way of life. For them, if they only had one wife they could only have a little bit of cattle which means not very much money to support themselves, their children, or their village. Therefore, they have many wives and many kids to take care of their cattle and the village. Christianity has been introduced to them and many of them have become Christians but the problem is still there about the many wives. Saitoti talked to us a lot about his life and the American influence and how he has used his fame and fortune to help out his community by providing water to their ENTIRE area, building a solid school, a corral for the animals, and the ability to give his children necessary education. He speaks english very fluently and hopes for his children to someday be able to go to America. 

Two big things I realized while I was there: I miss my friends at Bluebonnet Assisted Living and I want to be out in the bush with the people, not stuck in this city. I volunteered at an assisted living twice a week last semester in College Station and made some great relationships with some of it’s guests. I miss them dearly! After being with Babu and Saitoti’s sister, I realized how much I truly care about the elderly. I have so much respect for them and this feeling of awe and admiration that I just want to sit there and talk to them so I can learn about their lives. Also, I have been aware that I would rather be in the bush than in the city, but it finally hit me hard that I want to live out there with the people. I am not afraid of that lifestyle of simplicity and hardwork, if anything I admire it and want to be a part of it. Yes, it would be hard but I think it would be so worth it. 

Zebras and look at the HIPPOS!! 

he was so cool!

check out that gauge in her ear

Saitoti

Dada kwa Saitoti (his sister) 

Mama Frida, our assistant director

our house mom...Moira!

Maasai and cattle

The Lord provides and He is my stronghold and I am so thankful of that. I am so thankful for my parents and my family. I am thankful for the environment I grew up in and the morals they raised me with. Sunday was great, my roommate(Megan C) and I went to a coffee shop, then church, then to lunch and had a nice walk home. Two more days of school and it’s the weekend again! Praying for you!

me and the roomie!!