Engai: God of the Maasai

Traditionally, the Maasai's are monotheist and believe in one God- the Engai. Engai is said to be neither male nor female, but one who has several aspects. The Maasai believe that Engai is the creator of everything. This exhibit explores the legends that are associated with the Engai, and their relation with the Maasai.

There are many names for Engai like, Oloikurrukur- “my thundering one", Magilani- “Powerful knowing one, Olaidimani- “one who is able”, Natii ilakir- “where there are stars”.

Certain mountains figured in Maasai religious cosmology and stories as the homes of Engai or their descendants.

Oldoinyo Orok, the “Black Mountain” (Mt. Meru) was recognized as holy and home of Engai.

Oldoinyo Oibor, the “White Mountain” (snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro), was sometimes referred to as the home of the first human, Naiteru-kop, deity associated with creation.

As part of their reverence for nature as Engai’s creation, Maasai treated wild and domestic animals with respect. It is said that the Maasai did not hunt or eat wild animals, including the large herds of wildebeest and zebras that roamed their plains.

Birds were never eaten, but certain species were killed so that their bodies and feathers could be used to create elaborate headdresses for newly circumcised boys.

Snakes were usually left alone. The Maasai believed that certain prominent men returned as black pythons.

Lions, however, were hunted by junior Maasai men for protection and prestige.

According to most myths and legends, Engai resided in and was one with the sky and owned all the cattles as well. But one day, the earth and the sky separated, and so Engai was no longer among the people. The cattle though needed grass from the earth to sustain themselves.

It is then that Engai sent the cattle down to earth to the Maasai through the roots of the sacred fig tree and told them to look after the cattle. The Maasai have since then taken care of the cattle for Engai.

There are two main manifestations of Engai: Engai Narok, which is good and benevolent and is black; and Engai Na-nyokie, which is angry and red. A mythological tale about the  Black and Red god tells about their relationship with the Maasai. According to the tale, the black god was humble, kind and loving, while the red god was malevolent and did not care about people. The two gods lived in heaven, but the black god lived below the red god, and therefore, was closer to the people on earth. One day there was famine all over the world. There was neither food nor water for people. Even the cattle were almost dying from starvation.

Looking at their plight, the black god told the red god that they should give water to people for they are starving. The red god who did not like people was reluctant at first, but after much pleading from black god agreed. Water was released from heaven to earth and for many days it rained. The red god then told to black god to hold back the water as people have had enough, but black god said to let the water flow for few more days as the famine had left the earth parched.

So it continued to rain for more days till the red god again asked to hold the water and the black god released. After a few more days, the black god once again told the red god that they should release more water for the people but the red god refused. This led to an argument between the two gods.

The red god threatened to kill all the people for, he argued, they are spoilt. But the black god defended the people and stopped the red god from causing destruction. So when there is a loud thunder, it is the red god who is trying to get past the black god to destroy the people on earth, but when the thunder is not very loud, it is the black god who is trying to prevent the red god from causing destruction.