Learn the Maa Language with the Maasai
The Maasai people from Arusha, Tanzania teach us how to speak their beautiful language.
Playing field (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
What is Maa Language?
'Maa' is an Eastern Nilotic language spoken in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania by the Maasai community. In fact, the name Maasai means people who speak Maa language.
Learnings for the children (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
We asked the young members of the community to teach us some words in their language and here's what they taught us!
Ormarrei (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
1. Ormarrei
Ormarrei means Family in Maa language.
Engareh (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
2. Engareh
Engareh means water, a precious resource for the community, for which they often have to walk long hours to procure for their use.
Anyorr (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
3. Anyorr
Love is spelled Anyorr in the Maa language. Many Maasai believe that love and discipline are essential in a community.
Enkisoma (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
4. Enkisoma
Enkisoma means Education, which has now become an essential and crucial focus for the young generation of the Maasai community.
Supay (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
5. Supay
If you want to ask someone "how are you?" say Supay.
Emaayann (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
6. Emaayann
The children seek Emaayann meaning blessings from their elders.
Keeya embaa (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
7. Keeya embaa
It means 'How were things yesterday?' Maybe you can use this phrase to check up on your loved ones!
Respect (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
8. Enganit
Enganit means 'Respect'. The culture of respecting and looking up to their elders is deeply inbred in the younger generation of the Maasai community.
Ashey (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
9. Ashey
Ashey means 'Thank you'. Try this when the next time you want to express gratitude to someone!
Seriena (2021) by Vibhor YadavProject FUEL
10. Seriena
Seriena means 'Goodbye'. And with this, the Maasai bid you goodbye!
Project FUEL would like to thank the Maasai community in the Losimingori village of Arusha, Tanzania for opening their hearts and home to this research.
This exhibit is part of the Wise Wall Project, an initiative of Project FUEL, to document, design, and strengthen the wisdom of rural communities and marginalized villages using art and community outreach programs. In the third edition of this project, we collaborated with the Maasai, in Arusha, Tanzania, to build an on-ground community centre for the people and bring an exclusive insight into the life, lifestyle, and learnings of this inspiring community.
Photography: Vibhor Yadav, Siddharth Govindan
Wall Murals: Poornima Sukumar
Canvas Art: Advithi Emmi
Cultural Consultant and Translators: Kaay Ndoika Lengima, Elisha Olchakai Kirumui and Lemali Ndoika
Research, Interviews and Curation: Project FUEL
Project Partners: Vijana Inspiring Foundation, Vikram Solar Ltd., Lions Club of Dar es Salaam and Arusha, Google Arts & Culture
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