Celebrating the Maasai Way

The Maasai are one of the world's oldest and culturally rich people. A nomadic turned pastoralist community, they live in the regions of Tanzania and Kenya. 

Since 2018, we have been collaborating with the Maasai community in Arusha, Tanzania, to document the tribe’s culture and build a community centre in the Losinmingori village. The centre serves as a central space for the tribe to expand their business.

In December 2021, we were invited to attend a traditional ceremony for the celebration of the new community chief, Yamat Lemomo. The ceremony took place at the new chief’s boma (home in Maa language) near the Nanja village in Arusha. 

As we entered the space, we could see the people dressed in their traditional attire and adorning ceremonial jewellery.

Leiapa is a teacher and the new chief’s brother. He shared that people from the nearby villages gathered to celebrate the day. It also coincides with Christmas eve, so that is another reason for the celebration.

The new chief is gifted cow, goat, sheep, sugar, beer and soda. All of this is consumed during the celebrations. The cow and goat meat is cooked with rice and bananas.

Traditionally, the community chief is not chosen via a voting process. The previous chiefs first check the background of the prospective person, and if the behaviour of their family members is good.

They believe that if the behaviour of people who have brought them up is good, that means that they are a good person. 

Other factors that are considered in the selection are whether the person has a good grasp of their language or has a good connection with the community. Based on these factors, the new chief is appointed for the community.

The entire community gathers to celebrate the appointment, with dance and food. It also becomes an opportunity for young people to choose their prospective life partners, through traditional dance. The dances keep going through the entire day, with food in between.