Travel Diary: Meeting the Maasai Tribe in Kenya Changed My Perspective on Life

On my visit to Kenya few months ago, I saw first-hand the beauty of the wildlife, expansive open spaces (savanah), and cultural heritage the country has to offer. The scenery was amazing, however, one of my fondest experiences was with the Maasai people.

The Maasai are one of the most well-known groups of indigenous people of East Africa, living mostly in Kenya and Tanzania. Up to my visit, I had seen pictures and documentaries about the Maasai, but no amount of reading would have prepared me for the experience of being in their presence.

As I entered their village, I was instantly captured by the colours (bright red shuka) in their traditional clothing as they contrasted beautifully from the land around them - African Plains. The Maasai's distinctive beadwork, worn as jewellery, depicted their artistic ability and traditions.

The villagers welcomed us with open arms and we traded stories about our lifestyles. I learned that the Maasai culture revolves around their herds of cattle - as a means of income and a measurement of how wealthy and socially important you are in their culture. While much has changed with the rapid growth of the modern world around them, the Maasai have made an effort to continue with many of their customs and historical practices.

The Maasai Jumping Dance (Adumu), which I had the opportunity to see during my trip, was absolutely amazing! Young warriors took turns performing really impressive jumps while holding perfect form. The energy and enthusiasm these dancers displayed was very exciting.

While I was mesmerized by this incredible event, what really stuck with me was how much the Maasai people care for and support each other within their community. They value and protect their traditions, family values, and their connection to nature, which I find to be very impressive. Given how quickly our world is changing, I think it's amazing how committed they are to maintaining their culture.

My experience made me think about travel as not only being about new places, but also about meeting people, learning from new cultures and gaining a richer appreciation of our larger world.

I'd love to hear your experiences if you have ever visited an indigenous group or experienced a "very different" culture than yours.

Thanks for reading!