Maasai boys
The Maasai culture is one of the last tribal traditions in East Africa to be proudly maintained. Historically, men would display their success by having several wives, many children and a large herd of cows and goats. Prior to settling down it is not uncommon for young men, known as Morans, to have a period of living off the land in the wild, culminating in their induction as warriors traditionally requiring them to kill a lion.
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Maasai 'Morans'
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Extended families live in compounds of several houses together with a clear hierarchy and a very strong community spirit.
Families are often reluctant to send their boys to school because they need them during the day to take the cattle on a journey of several miles to find pasture and water, returning late in the evening. There is also understandable fear amongst the elders of the community that educating children will cause them to turn their back on their culture and birthright, luring them into the modern world.
On the contrary, whilst it is vital that this culture be sustained, resisting education will only result in the traditions being steamrollered by the advances of the modern world.
Lack of proper medical care and health education, and reliance on witch doctors and archaic childbirth practises results in sickness, high mortality rate, short life expectancies and perinatal deaths.
In Tanzania, Maasai communities are being driven from their lands by government agencies trying to attract tourists. Education empowers the people to campaign for their rights regarding their land, schools, churches and medical facilities.
Whilst educating girls is equally, if not more important than the education of boys and young men, in a patriarchal society such as the Maasai, these young boys will grow up to be the leaders of the future and education will equip them to be the voice of their culture.
There are Christian Maasai leaders who are committed to impressing on their communities the importance of sending boys to school and following up to ensure their attendance.
We can help by sponsoring a child, helping to break the poverty cycle which prevents generations of children from attending school.
On the contrary, whilst it is vital that this culture be sustained, resisting education will only result in the traditions being steamrollered by the advances of the modern world.
Lack of proper medical care and health education, and reliance on witch doctors and archaic childbirth practises results in sickness, high mortality rate, short life expectancies and perinatal deaths.
In Tanzania, Maasai communities are being driven from their lands by government agencies trying to attract tourists. Education empowers the people to campaign for their rights regarding their land, schools, churches and medical facilities.
Whilst educating girls is equally, if not more important than the education of boys and young men, in a patriarchal society such as the Maasai, these young boys will grow up to be the leaders of the future and education will equip them to be the voice of their culture.
There are Christian Maasai leaders who are committed to impressing on their communities the importance of sending boys to school and following up to ensure their attendance.
We can help by sponsoring a child, helping to break the poverty cycle which prevents generations of children from attending school.
