Rooted in Wisdom: 10 Maasai Proverbs
Step into the world of the Maasai community in Arusha, Tanzania.
Ndung'eta-e-rasha
The Maasai community is among the few communities in the world that have held onto their culture amidst modernization and technological changes. Proverbs denote an imperative value to the Maasai oral literature. These proverbs help explain the way of life, community’s attitude towards certain subjects, deeply entrenched beliefs and pragmatism. The Maa word for Proverbs is 'Ndung'eta-e-rasha'; meaning the "cutter of fine, thin leather." This emphasizes on the precision and succinctness. Proverbs have been a way of preserving the culture, retaining universality of meaning, sharing wisdom and observing poetic metaphors.This exhibit features ten wise Maasai proverbs in which the original proverb is written in the Maasai language in bold and labelled with the word (Maasai) in brackets at the end. A translation in English follows in italics.
Maasai community elder woman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
1. Emunyak olayioni oinepua menya (Maasai)
The words of the elders are blessed.
A Maasai warrior (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
2. Edoorie enker modooni nkuta (Maasai)
A blind sheep might chance across rain water
A Maasai elderman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
3. Esuj erashe ng'ejuk emusana (Maasai)
A new idea follows an old one.
A Maasai elderman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
4. Elong enchikat enkutuk enosiadi/olkurum (Maasai)
The fart of the mouth and that of the bottom are not the same.
A Maasai woman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
5. Ikingas ake olemaii nikitoki olengeno (Maasai)
We begin by being foolish and we become wise by experience.
A Maasai elderman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
6. Medol ilala osina (Maasai)
Teeth do not see poverty.
A Maasai warrior (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
7. Imelakua aig inchu (Maasai)
Home is not far away when you are alive.
A Maasai woman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
8. Meek olekaina ilala lenyanak (Maasai)
The elephant does not get tired of his tusks.
Maasai warriors (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
9. Enkongu naipang’a engen (Maasai)
Clever is the eye that has traveled.
A Maasai elderman (2020) by Ali ZoebProject FUEL
10. Enap oloitiko isirat enelo (Maasai)
A zebra takes its stripes wherever it goes.
Project FUEL would like to thank the Maasai community in the Losimingori village of Arusha, Tanzania for opening their hearts and home for this research.
This documentation was part of the Wise Wall Project, an initiative of Project FUEL that aims 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 have collaborated with the culturally rich and one of the oldest communities in the world, the Maasai, in Arusha, Tanzania, in partnership with Vikram Solar Ltd., Vijana Inspiring Foundation, Lions Club of Dar es Salaam and Arusha City, and Google Arts and Culture. Along with building an on-ground community centre and museum for the people, we are bringing an exclusive insight into this inspiring community's life, lifestyle, and learnings.
Photography: Ali Zoeb
Research, Interviews, and Curation: Project FUEL
