The Maasai

The Maasai, people and myth at the same time, are a semi-nomadic pastoral community originally from the Nile Valley in Tanzania and Kenya. Their own language, called Maa, gives its name to this population group. Although perhaps the best-known people of Tanzania, the Maasai make up only about 3% of the total population.

A visit to a Maasai village is certainly one of the cultural highlights of your safari and belongs to Tanzania like lions and elephants. During your stay in the north of the country you will meet people from the Maasai tribe again and again. On pastures, markets, hotels and also in the hustle and bustle of Arusha or Moshi. It is not difficult to recognize by the typical colorful robes –  called Shuka, which are also worn over jeans and business shirts. During our visit to a Maasai boma, your Maasai host will welcome you and let you greet with the traditional jumping dances of the young Maasai men and the singing of villagers together. The Maasai will be happy to answer your questions about their culture and everyday life. So you get an insight into the customs and way of life of the Maasai between mud huts and land cruisers.

Nevertheless, you should not expect to be the first tourist the Maasai meet. Rather, the income from tourism contributes significantly to the preservation and promotion of Maasai culture. Tanger Safaris attaches great importance to respecting the rights and culture of indigenous peoples and respecting their customs and traditions during visits. Our tours are organized in such a way that the normal way of life is not disturbed. We ask visitors to be considerate of this.