Although their population is less than 5% of all Tanzanians, the Maasai people out of more than 120 tribes have become the classic symbol of Tanzania and all East Africa! When travelling in the Northern Tanzania you will definitely meet some of Maasai, not only in the remote villages but also in the cities like Arusha, Moshi etc.!

The Maasai are Nilotic origin and migrated to the region from Sudan. They are pastoral nomads who have vigorously resisted change and today most of them still live the same way of life that they have for centuries. The creation of the Serengeti National Park, a part of which was also the Ngorongoro area until 1959, prohibited the Maasai the use much of their long-established grazing lands. However, out of consideration to the local Maasai who lived in the area for centuries, the status of the Ngorongoro area was changed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, allowing the Maasai to live inside the area but not inside the Ngorongoro Crater; Maasai are permitted to lead their cattle within the Crater to water but the cattle must leave the crater on the same day! When in Ngorongoro it is not unusual to see »red dots« in the green landscape or among wildlife.

The Maasai culture centres around the cattle and everything related to it is concerned sacred as well as the land. They live in little round villages called boma owned by a Maasai chief. Maasai society is patriarchal and polygamy is wide-spread; the wealth of a chief is measured by the number of his cattle and wives.

The most important part of each Maasai is becoming an adult, when both boys and girls are circumcised; in Maasai world this is the only distinction between a child and an adult. Maasai girls are ready for marriage and Maasai boys become moran or warriors becoming in charge for the cattle; they are easily recognized, as they wear long red rasta hair and lots of beaded ornaments.

The Maasai in Ngorongoro can be seen during your Safari Tour when in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Trekking Tour in the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands.

Have a look at our Safari Tours and Trekking Tours!

Maasai do not live only in Ngorongoro; they are scattered all over Northern Tanzania (Longido , Mkuru, Engaruka, Monduli Juu, etc.) and some of their customs differ from the Ngorongoro Maasai. For more information about different Maasai tribes and other extremely interesting Tanzanian tribes have a look at our Cultural Tours. Your visit you will contribute to their development!

And for more photos, take a look at our Photo Gallery!