Power from the Lens of Maasai Elders

The Maasai are one of the oldest communities in the world. They have strong cultural roots and traditions and a robust social system.

An integral part of the Maasai society are the Elders. They are men who have passed the age of warriorhood as Morans (warriors in Maa language) and are now the heads of the society.

As elders, they are responsible for guiding society and resolving all conflicts.

Since 2018, we have been collaborating with the Maasai people, residing in the Losimingori village of Arusha, Tanzania, to build a community centre cum museum that serves the tribe as a place for conducting business, getting digital skills and catering the tourists.

In December 2021, we conducted an extensive on ground research with the Maasai people and got to learn about the societal structure from the community, including the Maasai Elders.

Moson Thomas, 37, shared that the elder’s responsibility is to teach good behaviour and sort out all the conflicts in society. He shared that it is important for an Elder to properly conduct themselves.

“Elders should be like mirrors in society. The behaviour they reflect is what is imbibed by others in the society.”, Moson shared.

We asked 65-year-old Kittetoi what he has learned as an elder in society. He shared, “As an elder, I am someone who solves the problems of people. I sort out their quarrels. I have learnt that if you give enough respect to people then you will be loved for your wisdom.”

For Kakachi Ole Chakai, age doesn’t matter that much. He said, “It is not the older but who is clever that matters. My father and grandmother taught me this lesson. They also taught me that we must pay respect to everyone.”

Langema, a 50-year-old elder shared that people can learn about discipline and boundaries from the Maasai. “There is a time for everything. When you retire, new people come up and take on those roles and responsibilities."

"Leaders should know that they have to retire and when the time comes they should acknowledge that.”, Langema shared.