African PastoralistsAfrican PastoralistsMasai and TurkanaMasai and Turkana

East Africa PastoralistsEast Africa Pastoralists

East Africa are predominantly herdsmenEast Africa are predominantly herdsmen They include Masai and Turkana (covered here)They include Masai and Turkana (covered here) They also include Tiriki, Afar, Jie, Kikuyu, and They also include Tiriki, Afar, Jie, Kikuyu, and

numerous othersnumerous others Cattle are their animals—and source of wealthCattle are their animals—and source of wealth They are patrilineal and patriarchalThey are patrilineal and patriarchal Warfare is widespread, consisting mostly of Warfare is widespread, consisting mostly of

cattle theft and defense of herdscattle theft and defense of herds

Turkana: Subsistence BaseTurkana: Subsistence Base

Turkana live in variable, mostly arid Turkana live in variable, mostly arid environmentsenvironments

They herd a variety of animals: cattle, camels, They herd a variety of animals: cattle, camels, goats, sheep, and donkeysgoats, sheep, and donkeys

Camels and goats are valued for their ability to Camels and goats are valued for their ability to go without water for daysgo without water for days

Cattle (including the humped zebu) are herded Cattle (including the humped zebu) are herded in the most watered valleysin the most watered valleys

Herds are divided opportunistically, according to Herds are divided opportunistically, according to changing climate conditions.changing climate conditions.

Turkana: Social Organization ITurkana: Social Organization I

Organized into extended families of a Organized into extended families of a man, his wives, and childrenman, his wives, and children

Reckoning is by patrilineal descent.Reckoning is by patrilineal descent. However, they also have extensive social However, they also have extensive social

networks:networks: Through affines (kin by marriage)Through affines (kin by marriage) Through close relativesThrough close relatives Through friendship ties via exchangesThrough friendship ties via exchanges

Turkana: Social Organization IITurkana: Social Organization II

Nevertheless, they do not perceive themselves Nevertheless, they do not perceive themselves as a tribe beyond the householdas a tribe beyond the household

Male kin are reckoned, but they do not form Male kin are reckoned, but they do not form organized lineages or clansorganized lineages or clans

Unlike many East African tribe, there is no age Unlike many East African tribe, there is no age set or age gradeset or age grade

They are individualistic, forming larger temporary They are individualistic, forming larger temporary groups as necessity dictatesgroups as necessity dictates

Turkana: Basic Cultural PatternTurkana: Basic Cultural Pattern

Turkana are faced with changing environmental Turkana are faced with changing environmental conditionsconditions

How and where they herd their animals vary with How and where they herd their animals vary with these conditionsthese conditions

They may separate their herds: camels to dry They may separate their herds: camels to dry areas, cattle to better watered areas.areas, cattle to better watered areas.

Their networks—kin and friendship—provided Their networks—kin and friendship—provided social flexibility.social flexibility.

Read “Case 8: The Case of Kenya” for more Read “Case 8: The Case of Kenya” for more detailsdetails

Masai: Subsistence BaseMasai: Subsistence Base

Unlike the Turkana, Masai are mostly cattle Unlike the Turkana, Masai are mostly cattle herdersherders

Their environment is somewhat more moist, but Their environment is somewhat more moist, but drought does occurdrought does occur

Their herding is transhumant rather then Their herding is transhumant rather then opportunistic, unlike the Turkanaopportunistic, unlike the Turkana

Cattle is exploited for milk and blood, hides, Cattle is exploited for milk and blood, hides, horns, and meat on occasionhorns, and meat on occasion

Cattle are more useful as food when alive than Cattle are more useful as food when alive than when slaughteredwhen slaughtered

Masai: Social OrganizationMasai: Social Organization

They are organized into polygynous, They are organized into polygynous, extended family householdsextended family households

There is a strong patriarchy of the There is a strong patriarchy of the household.household.

Laibon (chiefs) dominate the Masai, and Laibon (chiefs) dominate the Masai, and wealth is unevenly distributedwealth is unevenly distributed

Age Grades and Age SetsAge Grades and Age Sets

At age 12 and up, boys become At age 12 and up, boys become moran moran or or warriorswarriors

After initiation, that includes circumcisionAfter initiation, that includes circumcision At age 25 or so, they become Junior Elders: At age 25 or so, they become Junior Elders: Eligible to marry, form households, and obtain Eligible to marry, form households, and obtain

cattle.cattle. Later in life, they become Senior Elders, with Later in life, they become Senior Elders, with

greater governing and judicial responsibilitiesgreater governing and judicial responsibilities

Masai Gender RelationsMasai Gender Relations

As you will see in As you will see in Masai WomenMasai Women, women are , women are among the most marginal in the worldamong the most marginal in the world

They endure clitoridectomy, presented in this They endure clitoridectomy, presented in this film in a sanitized version as “circumcision”film in a sanitized version as “circumcision”

They do not own cattle and their property is They do not own cattle and their property is limited to milking gourds and personal itemslimited to milking gourds and personal items

If they do not bear sons, their life will be one of If they do not bear sons, their life will be one of enduring poverty. enduring poverty.

Masai WomenMasai Women provides these and other details provides these and other details

Masai WomenMasai Women

Note the following about Note the following about Masai WomenMasai Women:: Observe indications of women’s low statusObserve indications of women’s low status What happens if they don’t bear children?What happens if they don’t bear children? What about lovers, especially warriors?What about lovers, especially warriors? What property do they have?What property do they have?

Warriorhood among the MasaiWarriorhood among the Masai

Rain WarriorsRain Warriors provides a fictional study of provides a fictional study of several Masai themesseveral Masai themes

The fear of droughtThe fear of drought The magical powers of animals, especially The magical powers of animals, especially

of the lion Wachuvaof the lion Wachuva The teamwork of teenaged warriors, who The teamwork of teenaged warriors, who

presumably belong to the same age setpresumably belong to the same age set Beliefs that the same lion is withholding Beliefs that the same lion is withholding

the rainthe rain

Rain WarriorsRain Warriors

Observe the following:Observe the following: What was unusual about sending What was unusual about sending

experience teen warriors on the quest?experience teen warriors on the quest? Why was this seen to be necessary?Why was this seen to be necessary? Why was the father reluctant to allow Why was the father reluctant to allow

Morono to go on the hunt?Morono to go on the hunt? What does herding goats have to say What does herding goats have to say

about one’s socioeconomic status?about one’s socioeconomic status?

African Pastoralists: ConclusionAfrican Pastoralists: Conclusion

Largely tribal, though incipient chiefdom is Largely tribal, though incipient chiefdom is evident among Masaievident among Masai

All rely on cattle, though other animals All rely on cattle, though other animals (goats, even camels) may be present(goats, even camels) may be present

Women are second-class citizens—if Women are second-class citizens—if citizens at all instead of propertycitizens at all instead of property

Barrenness is a serious problem—women Barrenness is a serious problem—women always pray for sonsalways pray for sons