Maasai society

One of the most important features of Maasai culture is their social structure, which is based on age.

An age set of Maasai boys pass through a number of transitions throughout life, the very first of which is the circumcision rite. There are four general classes: junior warrior, senior warrior, junior elder and senior elder.

Each stage of this social system is characterised by certain dress, rights and responsibilities.

The newly-initiated warriors, or Moran, are the most important group as they are charged with defending the cattle.

Maasai society is patriarchal and women for the most part play quite a subservient role. Maasai marriages are arranged by the elders and polygamy is accepted and widely practised. Elders meet to deliberate on important issues but ultimately the wellbeing of the tribe's cattle always comes first.

Maasai women can only marry once in their lifetime. The men however may have more than one wife (if they have enough cows, they may have more than one at a time).

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