We are from the Maasai Warrior tribe and started a social media project, ask us anything!

How do you think your tribe has adapted to the modern world, if it has?

Do you think it's been for the better or worse?

Thank you guys! Unique AMA

We have mobile phones so we can communicate better. We have instagram and connect with cool people from all over the world. We can have solar so have light at night. A lot of improvements in life but I also worry for the future that our tribe and the culture slowly get lost. Many Maasai now go to the city for work and slowly slowly loose Maasai values for western, money can also cause a lot of problems. Let’s hope we can be good example using technology and social media in a good way for the tribe, and for the world.

How can you reasonably protect a culture that is predicated on pre technology lifestyles, while also incorporating modern technology - without dramatically changing that culture?

I don’t get really your question, but I hope this helps. If we use mobile phone to talk, solar to have light in dark end electricity, motorcycle for transport, it dont change our cultures much. It just makes easier for our lives. But when people move to cities to work, and only start care for money and themselve then it starts to get very bad.

Does Instagram and other social media change your culture?

(I have been/came to the Maasai Mara in 2019) you all were very hospitable it was a beautiful experience. I said to myself while I was there, "humanity Will survive".

In some ways it does yea, Maasai learn new things from other cultures. That’s very nice thanks my friend

Are there Maasai values that you think the western culture could learn and benefit from?

Yes definitely!

People’s relationship to money is the cause of many problems all around the world. I would love to hear more about your perspective on how it changes values and culture.

Edit to not upset grammar people.

In Our culture, sharing is very important and thinking about other people. With money often people change and care more about themselves often. You get addicted to it and especially for Maasai, suddenly having and everything can be difficult to cope with.

Can you link the Instagram account(s)?

Check my profile

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😂 you want maasai women or chicken?

How often do you see the large animals? Are they problematic for your tribe or cause any sort of daily issues or do they mostly ignore you? When you fought off the lion did you have to kill/injure it or did you scare it into running away?

They have become a lot less and avoid our villages more, but we often see elephant poo. what we see often and is problematic are the hyenas who often come to get our cattle. For that we have dogs who warn us. I sadly had to kill the lion with spear, it is important in that moment to stand strong and face the lion, never run.

Fascinating. This is the best AMA I think I've ever read.

Thank you, glad people enjoy

Americans and Europeans, well the whole world outside of Africa actually, only know Africa and specifically the Maasai from what they see on TV. Basically, all they know is big scary animals, famine and disasters. Decent normal happy people living normal lives makes terrible TV. It's really important that you are doing this media project since you can educate the rest of the planet about your way of life.

It's not that long ago in places all over the world where people raised cattle in the wild similar to how the Maasai still do.

Now, it's time for a question from me. What have you enjoyed most about this project? What do you think the most important/worthwhile thing is that you have learned from it so far?

Cheers!

I learned that good things take time and you should never loose hope. At the end things played our different as expected but still good.

Are the hyenas a risk to children in the village? Do people usually stick to groups when leaving the village? How large is the village? Does it have any sort of fencing or something to keep animals out?

The hyenas come at nights so the children are safe inside, the village size varies depending on how big the families are, yes we have some natural fencing, but nothing very strong

This is amazing, best of luck on your mission!

How much interaction do you have with your national government? Do they respect your tribal independence?

There are even some Maasai in government, however in last times there was a lot of problems with government, as there are evicting thousands maasai to make place for a hunting safari park. There were many protests and fights.

What are you most looking forward to trying next as part of your social media campaign?

I wanted to watch a video from the most expensive house with my dad and react to it, it was all planned and the estate agent who made the video also loved the idea. Sadly my father got very sick since then and we couldn’t do, but I hope soon

I hope your father gets better soon my brother 🙏

Thank you, a funny story. Once I visited a big town with him. We walked next to a clothe shop with manakins with clothes on. He greeted each one of them 😂😂

Did he do it to be funny or because he thought they were people? I can see him greeting them and then thinking, "What is wrong with these people?" Lol

A little of both😂

Maasai got dad jokes too lol.

He is so funny

One of my favorite YouTube channels is Reactistan where tribal villagers try food from all over the world. Something similar could be fun where people in your tribe try different foreign things that they’ve never even heard of.

We want to do that and cool videos from our village and film adventures we have, and comedy

I'd like to hear how dating works. Like when a boy or girl gets a crush on someone, what is expected of them?

And what personality traits are considered attractive in women or men?

Traditionaly speaking,The warriors age approximately 16-23 dance with the girls the same age & they 'flirt' by pointing their spear or stick at the girl they like..... But traditionally the parents choose the bride for the warrior, of course now things are changing and people choose who they like to marriage themselves mostly

Is female circumcision still practiced? What is the reasoning for it? Do males get circumcised too? If this subject is too much to talk about, that's ok. Love your channel! So interesting!

Read my answer above

"Typically, Maasai girls are circumcised between the ages of 11 to 13 and soon afterwards married to a man chosen by her father in exchange for cattle and cash." - Massai girls education organization

Website seems legit but I'd love to hear from the source about this.

I lost interest in this AMA as soon as I saw that. I’ll circle back around to see if it gets answered, but this has always horrified me on every level.

It's a horrific thing, and people seem to be upset at the question asker for being very pointed and aggressive about getting an answer for it. It's serious, nothing wrong at all asking about it.

It’s an important question but it’s never good to be aggressive and judgemental if you want to create change, you have to be understanding and friendly.

I answered my friend

I don't think this will be answered, because it will dip into women's rights - which he has neglected to answer. We can see one answer below (broken link, should be: https://maasaigirlseducation.org/the-need/the-life-of-a-maasai-woman/).

We hope to spread more compassion and happiness in the world, to get our kids a better future.

Except for girls and women, apparently.

EDIT: I take back my comment on the lack of answering, you are right. I should not jump to conclusions or speculate. I look forward to your answers.

EDIT 2: Let's wait and see I guess. Some downvoting and "I will get back to this". I want to take OP earnestly. But a PR push for the tribe talking about a horrible record of women's rights... I really wonder what answer there is aside from "I personally will work for the rights of girls and women". There is no excuse for their status quo.

EDIT 3: More links:

https://borgenproject.org/advocates-empowering-kenyas-female-maasai/

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/fgm-maasai-women-speak-out

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2017/11/07/how-young-men-can-change-gender-and-social-norms-of-the-maasai-people-to-support-girls-education/

https://www.womankind.org.uk/introducing-the-maasai-womens-movement/

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/3/25/from-being-property-to-owning-one-a-maasai-womans-struggle

(The original wasn't my link, I copied it from another comment that messed up the formatting, to make sure it was easy to click on.)

EDIT 4: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/xgocac/we_are_from_the_maasai_warrior_tribe_and_started/iotsxxi/

Now to this difficult topic,please read till the end. Both man and women get circumcised in Maasai culture for the ones who don’t know, without you cannot marry. There are now changes happening and this ritual will stop and be forbidden. Now are the last generations that will be doing it. I know it sounds brutal but there are many things your „tribes“ do and did we find brutal to. Changes take time and it’s important we all learn to not judge so quick and have respect for each other. One should not judge another without being in his shoes for a day, like in the saying. Please let me know if you have further questions

Male and female circumsicion is no way near being close to the same thing.. Comparing them is extremely ingorant. Do you even know the impact it has on a vagina to go through that? What heavy side effects it has? The changes in their sexual life through life?

That’s why I said don’t judge so quick. I never compared that or said that it would be the same and I am well aware of the problem trust me. But sad that you have to call me ignorant when I am here trying to create change in my tribe. I hope we all can learn here to be more respectful and understanding

An incredibly good answer. Acknowledging the problem, dealing with the complexities of relative morality, looking to confront and improve your People’s way of life. All very difficult.

Respect to you, sir.

Thank you, my friend

I know you probably aren't on anymore, but sending love from my family in Oregon, United States. My son had no idea there were still tribes and we are huge fans! Being closer to family and to the earth is beautiful. Stay safe out there!

Also if you have time to answer, how old were you when you had to defend yourself against a lion?

Yes Very very late here now, appreciate the support, i was 18 i think. Greetings to America and your son !

Sad that you take conclusion so fast, I will get back to this difficult topic, let me take care of easy questions first. And I mean all kids please.. especially girls.

Thanks for doing this! What’s the best and worst reaction you’ve had to your social media campaign?

A lot of love, some tourist even recognise me which I found so funny. Sadly also some racist comments and big pages stealing our content and lying. But we try to focus on the good things and are happy for that!

Are you hiding a secret high tech city behind a forcefield?

👀

I'm impressed by your English. Being so isolated, where do you learn and practice it to such an extent?

When I was young I was sent to school and learned there, but I didnt like it so I went back to my village. Later then I took English class again.

What do people from your tribe do for fun or as a hobby?

We do maasai dancing - we don't really have much hobbies - but I like football & comedy - i watch on YouTube because we don't have tv.

We do maasai dancing - we don't really have much hobbies - but I like football & comedy - i watch on YouTube because we don't have tv. The children they like to run around & jump & climb trees & learn all about our culture. Boys make bows and arrows, girls love to make jewelry also.

How is climate change affecting tribes in your region?

A lot a lot, this year a lot of our cows died in drought. Very few rains, hard times

How important is storytelling in your tribe?

Very! We always tell a lot of story’s, funny ones or where you can learn with the elders.

What does your diet look like today? and how has it changed over the years?

It changed alittle, before it was a lot more meat. Now we also eat more grains and ugali. We still love meat and also eat some parts raw, we also drink cow blood and milk still.

Could you possibly do a video with some elders cooking famous recipes like a maasai cooking show? That would be awesome, I would definitely watch that

Yes why not? We will do so many cool videos if we have setup everything good( wifi etc)

What does a typical day in your life look like?

It depend on your age and roles, we will do a day in the life video very soon. I always have to take care of a lot of stuff in the bush and help people with problems, some take care of children, some of cows etc

Hello! What you're both wearing is beautiful. Is that everyday wear or just special occasions? Thanks 🙂

Normally we don’t have that much jewelry and the silver one is more for special occasions haha

Hi, can you speak to the rights of women in your tribe?

Do you practice female circumcision? Are women allowed to get abortions or use birth control? Do women have the same access to education and career opportunities as men? Do women get the same say in society as men? Do they have the same right to free speech? Can a woman decide who she marries? What is the minimum age for marriage?

I will get back to your question soon

Watched your videos, this is awesome that you’re sharing your community with the world!

Q: What video idea would you most like to do?

Thanks my friend, generaly i want to show more from our culture and lives to people, but I also want to do a video where I show my father the most expensive house is usa and he reacts!

You might consider that people are far more interested in the different aspects of your culture, and your day-to-day life. The things that are valued, the different gender roles, the hopes and dreams that people in the tribe might have, and how mindsets and personal philosophies differ from your tribe to the industrialized world. Watching you react to pizza is interesting, but im so much more interested in what you know, and what you can share, versus seeing you react to our junk.

Yes I know, but filming in the bush is a big challenge. Electricity problems, wifi etc, but we are trying to do more and slowly getting more money to invest

Is there a place we can help invest money? A Patreon or website that we can donate to? I'd love to help, and I think this type of sharing I very important, especially in terms of fostering compassion.

Check my Instagram, you can support us there! That’s very kind

Get Elon Musk to send you some Starlink Satellites!

Is it true he has 300 bilion dolar?

All the assets he as are valued at 300 billion, he doesnt have that money literaly and even if he tried to convert his assets to money, he would get way less then 300 billion unless he plans it and takes severall years to do it

Are you guys receptive to tourists and how should we procede to do it? Thanks a lot!

We would love for people to visit but we don’t have the best infrastructure here to make it easy and comfortable for visitors sadly

How do you feel about homosexualism? How are gays treated within the tribe?

Its a very difficult topic you know, especially in Africa. I don’t have a problem with it, they are also human beings. but you can’t expect all cultures in this word to just adapt to western one, things need time. We have a lot of problems here and our life’s are so different from one another.

Do the Maasai believe in a single God or many Gods or no God?

Many Maasai are Christian becouse of missionaries, but still have high respect for our traditional beliefs. Our god is called enkai or ngai, we believe he gave us the cows, so we take care of these lands and the nature.

Hi! If we would drive our expedition truck to your village, what would be really appriciated to bring to the village? Paper, pens, coca cola, lighters or something else? Best regards Michael

School books & pencils for the school. The kids love balloons & bubbles. For the mamas soap & chai & sugar which is best to buy locally. Clothes are always good - hoodies, shirts

Do you have “interventions” with tribal members that get lost in the “Western” world? If no, are they lost until they find themselves? If yes, what are some strategies you use?

We always have a lot of meetings for everything. Sometimes things like this are also discussed in meeting, when there are problems with certain people. These meetings with the elders and chiefs are very important and we do very often and long.

When kids in your tribe play, are they inspired more by traditional aspects of life as in hunting, etc. or more modern stories from the predominantly western entertainment industry such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc.?

A lot more the traditional, we don’t have tv here so they don’t know these things

Thank you for doing this! I love your videos! I saw the one of you all partying and someone drank too much. I’m curious what sort of alcohol the tribe drinks- is it something you make?

Beer, gongo, konyagi, some People make gongo or beer here

Hello! What is something you’ve seen in western culture that seems completely barbaric and strange to you?

Invading other countries and killing so many people! Forcing believes on other people as missionaries have done here. Not saying we are perfect, but yeah

What's something about Maasai life that you think might surprise people from the west?

What's the biggest challenges your tribe has faced in the past few years?

What is the biggest success story from your tribe?

I hope everything is well with you, greetings from Honduras 🇭🇳

There is a lot that will surprise them 😂 but for me it’s hard to say i don’t know what they think of us you know. We face many challenges, especially climate and drought, corruption and eviction. It will be a difficult future for us

How is your access to non-routine medicine outside of antibiotics and vaccines? (i hope there is no issues with those) For instance, getting screws installed due to a bad break, autoimmune disorders, or chemo treatments? A lot of these treatments cost more than most of us will earn in a lifetime and insurance can be a battle even with western jobs.

Yes that is a big problem. Hospital bills are very high here, in my family many had heart disease and needed operations, to pay we had to sell many cows. We definitely need better system here and more doctors.

I hope you don't mind if I ask some existential questions.

What would your fellow tribespeople say if they were asked "What's the purpose for living?"

What do you honestly believe happens after death? I'm not interested in old stories unless you truly believe them. For instance I was raised christian and they're taught about fluffy clouds and pearly gates after death but very few people actually believe that's what happens.

The old Maasai believes are, that there isn’t a real afterlife as you have in other religions, after you lived a long life you will be at peace for eternity. It seems scary doesn’t it, but in a way also beautiful I think.

Purpose of living is alittle different for everyone of course, the Maasai believes are that god has gave us the cows so that we take care of the lands and nature.

What food do you just not like?

How does your tribe deal with petty squabbles?

What’s the best part of your day?

Maasai haaate fish, its the worst for us haha.

Hey I’m Canadian and have some Masai family member in Tanzania! Are you near Arusha ?

6 hour drive my friend

How does your tribe settle disputes, and how do they deal with people who violate tribal laws?

We have a lot of meetings with elders and chiefs to talk about everything

Is there a similar but distinct tribe that lives near you? If so what are the major differences?

A lot a lot of tribes, some different, some very similar. Things like what they eat, clothing, ceremonies can be similar or different

What are your jobs and work like in tribal life?

Some Maasai go to the cities for work, some also work as tour guides and for tourists. Traditionally man take care of cattle, defend the homes, elders take care of problems and things. Women build the houses, prepare foods, take care of children.

Hi, wonderful AMA. When I was in Tanzania I came across a lot of Maasai working the tourist trade. Selling stuff on the beach, etc. Always saying that they were Maasai from far away.

I was always curious, are they real Maasai or are there impostors too?

There are fake Maasai to of course, but also a lot real ones do that.

What's the biggest misconception you've encountered from people about tribal societies?

Some People in internet couldn’t believe that we have shaved beards for example 😂

Is it true that the cow is not killed and that they take some blood through a small cut?

Yes it’s true

I visited Serengeti National Park a couple of years ago on a scientific field trip, and got the impression there's a lot of tension between the Maasai and the other more Westernized Tanzanians. Could you say something about that?

My feeling was the Tanzanians view the Maasai is being very backwards. I didn't meet any Maasai to get their impression of mainstream Tanzanian society though.

We face many problems with Suaheli, as they are farmers and our cattle often damages their fields. The government often sells our land to them so conflicts get more… its very sad I have had very bad experiences with some

What are your favorite things to do?

I love being with good people, laughing watching comedy and football. So many things I could write

hello! the project of connecting a warrior tribe to the rest of the world through the internet sounds like an extremely difficult change, do you have some stories about how the transition went? and as a bonus question, does your tribe have stories which are passed down between generations? if so, are you willing to share them?

Yes we have a lot of problems with wifi and electricity and we don’t have the money yet to get it sorted, but slowly getting better. There are many stories of course! Love to sure some in later videos

What are some traditional dishes your tribe eats? Do you have a favorite one?

A lot of special meats and ugali, which many have in Africa. Maasai really love milk with cow blood haha.

What is your goal?

I want to make the world a happier place, and spread smiles.

I've been donating to the "lion guardians" project. Are you familiar with this project and what do you think about it?

Yes I heard its cool

Greetings, very interesting project you have. My question, what kinds, if any, music have become popular with your tribe as phone and wifi give you more access?

Best of luck to you, your people and your project.

There are many traditional musicians we listen to , but also international or african

Hi,

Been subscribed for ages love your vids!

What is the procedure when somebody dies in the tribe. Burial? Cremation? Any rituals?

Thanks!

Thank you! Yes we have little special ceremonies, But we don’t bury the body, we Burn or leave it for scavenger animals.I have heard a religion in Iran did the same thing. Only elders and chiefs get a burial as a sign for special respect.

I saw you guys have a GoFundMe, is this your primary source of income for your social media endeavors? Any other source of revenue? Have you thought of starting a Patreon page?

We are planning to sell our handmade jewellery one day, let’s see

Do you get many visitors from around the world? I would personally love to visit and stay with a maasai tribe for a week or 2!

In my village very few, it’s not a real tourist area like serengeti

Your Instagram is so fun! Thanks for sharing your experience with the world.

I am curious now that you've seen a bit of the world through the internet and travel, does any of that appeal to you? Fashion, many things to do and see, people to meet, experiences to be had, food to try, business to be done, non-traditional life...

Is this something that happens with young people from your tribe? Are many young people leaving the tribe for "modern" life? Or do young adults usually come back to the tribe after school and some travel and prefer the tribe "lifestyle"?

Of course it is happening and everyone of course is free to do what he wants in a way. However I think it’s sad if you forget who you are and where you come from. It’s good to find a balance so that’s what we will try to do

Do you have pets?

Yes we have dogs and cows, they are not pets as you have in west, but we feed them, we love them and we care for them.

Do you name your dogs like we do in the West?

I did, normally yes but maybe not all

How big of a role does fishing play in your day to day lives? Do you have a favorite fish to eat or catch for fun? Do the rivers where you are from have the dangerous crocodiles and hippos lurking below that you have to watch out for? Thank you for doing this ama, it sounds like you guys have taken this internet media and turned it into some cool stuff.

Maasai actually hate fish a lot haha, we don’t live to far from Mara river where there are many crocodiles

What made you decide to do this IAmA now? Has something significant happened recently?

A lot of people wanted it, and we liked the idea

Do you guys play videogames? If so, what's the most popular game/franchise within your tribe?

No my friend we really don’t 😂

Sopa and jambo!

Thank you for doing this AMA.

What would you hope people take away from this social media project? Awareness of the Maasai, more assistance for your ways of life, etc?

How can we help you be more successful with this project?

I hope we all can learn to that even if we are different in some aspects in the end we all are human and want to life a peaceful and happy life, I hope atleast you want that to 😂. Yes you guys in the west have some cool Technology and we walk around with swords and spears, but I you should never forget who you are and where you come from - Nature. How to help, just follow along our journey and share our project 🙏🏽

How do you have internet?

We have mobile data or wifi devices

How do you have internet and electricity if you live deep in the bush?

Suprising, we have mobile data here. But it’s not always very good so now I am in a town for better wifi.

Y'all get mobile data all the way in the bushes??? Damn sometimes i can barely get any bars in my house

In one village I have even lte 😂

Maasai wer e "the bad guys" in the movie *The Naked Prey*. Of course somebody has to be the antagonist, but is the portrayal in that film considered unfair in so many words?

Sorry I don’t know the movie

Do tourists visit you guys?

Very very rare, becouse my village is not typical tourist area

Thank you for doing this!

Is there any dance or movement unique to your tribe? Any symbolic gestures that are passed down?

In our dances we jump a lot, generally jumping is something we love to do

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I also would love to do that, we could talk about a lot of cool things. Let’s see what the future brings.

Why a social media campaign but not like, modern housing and medicine? Doesn’t the selective meshing of old and new culture feel… superficial? Dangerous? Idk

I’m not trying to be snarky sorry if it sounded rude I am genuinely curious how these topics are handled and what is considered too far a departure of culture and how that all goes

Well modern housing and medicine is great, but from where should the money come? That’s why we are doing this unique social media business