Cultural Tours in Nyerere National park
Cultural Tours in Nyerere National park
Cultural Tours in Nyerere National park : Nyerere national park is one of the best destinations in Tanzania for cultural tours, these extra-ordinary Tanzania safari experience takes you on a visit to the Maasai people living in communities around the borders of the park.
THE MAASAI PEOPLE
The Maasai people are arguably the most iconic tribal group in Africa residing in the vast areas of the Northern areas of Tanzania and they also spread to areas of Kenya, the Maasai are known to be a dominant ethnic group living in areas surrounding most of the national parks and reserves in Tanzania. These people are famously known for their highly skilled warriors and their cattle herding abilities.
The Maasai people are a indigenous ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and Southern Kenya and northern Tanzania and do originally reside near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, today they live together with many other tribes in Tanzania.
The Maasai people are nomadic in nature and they are one of the few tribes which still retain many of their traditions as they live largely untouched by modern day civilization (modernity and technology). By visiting their villages surrounding the Nyerere national park, you get a chance to interact with the local people and get a glimpse into their culture, unique way of life and see firsthand some of the customs and practices.
The Masai people are known for their many unique cultural practices and traditions and some of these originate from their nomadic way of life, The Maasai people live in Maasai village also referred to as Manyattas, these are low height dwellings essentially huts made of mud, cow dung and wood with a single entrance and minimal side windows. Clusters of these Manyatta huts form a homestead or village known as a Maasai “Boma”. Several Bomas also join together to make a larger village, individual huts are known as the Manyattas, they have small windows very tiny that it can be very dark inside a Manyatta even on a sunny day.
The Maasai people speak Maa language derived from Nilo-Saharan, this language is related to Dinka and Nuer. These days many Maasai also speak the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili and English.
The Maasai warrior also known as Morans are the warriors of the tribe, they are initiated into their status by rites of passage which are given much importance. The Morans have high fighting skills and they normally display their jumping skills during the dances. During your visit to the Maasai village, you will often get a chance to find out how high they can jump.
In the social setting of the Maasai culture, a man’s wealth is measured in terms of cattle and children, a herd of 50 cattle is a respectable amount and the more children the better.
The Maasai also have traditional beliefs, they believe in the Maasai god (Enkai or Engai). The god was manifested in two forms that is the black god who was benevolent and the red god who was vengeful. Today most of the Maasai tribe are Christians and a minority are muslims.
Visiting the Maasai Village is a fascinating excursion that can be included on your safari itinerary to Nyerere national park, you can set aside a couple of hours for a brief interactive visit to Masai village usually situated on the fringes of Nyerere national park and Selous game reserve boundaries.
THE MAASAI VILLAGE
The traditional Maasai village is called a Manyatta consisting of a number of small cow dung made houses with thatched roofs, The Inkajijik which is a name of their houses are usually circular or loaf shaped. The houses are made by the village woman and they are made of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and cow’s urine. In the social setting of the Maasai people, women are also responsible for the supplying of water, collecting firewood, milking cattle and cooking for the family.
The Inkajijik stand quite close to eachother all surrounded by a circular Enkang (fence) built purposely to protect their cattle and themselves at night from wild animals. In opposition to the houses, the fence is made by the village men.
Maasai Jumping, dancing and Music
The Maasai people are famous for their jumping skills, from tradition the men learn how to jump high, the higher their jumping is, the more status the male gains, also from the woman. The jumping comes forth from the Maasai adamu or jumping dance, with the sound of a traditional beat, the jumping is a traditional celebration to mark the ride of passage and welcome young men to the next stage of their lives.
Visiting the Maasai Village
To visit the village, there is a fee that is paid. This fee includes a contribution towards the village in form of a fee as well as return road transfers from your lodge or camp where you staying in Nyerere national park. The fee for a cultural visit to the Maasai village normally varies between USD 25 TO USD 50 per person.
The village visit is typically an excursion included into a longer multi day Nyerere National Park
Note: Once at the village, you may be expected to buy some curio or souvenir from the villagers, though it is not mandatory to purchase if you are not interested.
