Jul-2022
The Maasai: Masters of Migration
The Maasai Indigenous Group has a rich history in East Africa. Their beautiful culture and customs are paired with a unique nomadic lifestyle that makes it possible for them to live off of the unforgiving arid lands of Tanzania and Kenya. Maasai live as pastoralists, which, similar to hunter-gatherers, involves grazing and migrating across vast landscapes. 
Pastoralism in the East African region has its roots in the Beja ethnic group that populated the Red Sea around 2500 BC. The Maasai’s ancestors, the Nilotic Peoples, adopted this lifestyle in East Africa close to 1000 AD. Today, the Maasai roaming territory spans much of Kenya and the Northern parts of Tanzania.
The relationship between pastoralists and the ecosystem is one of mutual benefit. By traveling across land that is unfit for farming, the Maasai and their cattle help perpetuate nutrient cycling and other vital exchanges in their environments. In fact, for some regions, studies have shown a 50 percent increase in the carrying capacity of the land as a result of their passage. The continuous movement of pastoralists allows the land enough time to replenish itself and evolve further before groups return.
Living harmoniously with the nature that surrounds us is the only way to maintain both our species and the many others that inhabit the planet. There is a great amount that can be learned from such minimalistic ways of life. Having these reminders to reflect on within our own daily lives can be extremely effective and instrumental in living in a more balanced and sustainable way.
If you’re looking to experience the culture and understand some of the ways that the Maasai live off the land, a wonderful way to do so is a Maasai Medicine walk, which introduces you to some of the traditional methods using plants, trees and shrubs. These non-invasive tours give a great insight into the resourcefulness of a pastoralist population and also a broader understanding of the East African landscape.
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