This is a Masai boy who has been circumcised recently. Masai live in age-groups of
about ten years each. When the boys are ready to become a warrior ("Moran"), all boys
of the same age group get circumcision, after which they will dress in black and paint
their faces white. They will dress like this for eight to twelve months. After this
period they'll become a Moran. The present Morani from the preceeding age-group will
now become an elder ("Mzee").
This picture was taken on a wedding. The bride is seen in the center. On the right is
the bridegroom, on the left is the best man. They pose in front of the hut in which
the ceremony took place. Weddings are normally done during the harvest.
During this special occasion, which is called 'emasho' in the Masai language, the
Morani are allowed to choose their ladies. The accepted lady is the only one who can
be on the right side of the Moran as his first choice. On his left is his second
choice. After this occasion the ladies undergo circumcision, after which they are
ready for marriage.
This picture was taken in the church during the seven years circumcision period. The
girls on the second row have already undergone circumcision, and have a boyfriend now.
They are engaged. They will get married after the circumcision period is over. The
girls in the first row were not yet chosen as a girlfriend, hence did not undergo
circumcision yet.
Another picture of a wedding. The bride is seen second from right, the bridegroom is
in the center. The other lady is the bride's mother. As respect for the bridegroom,
she decided to give him her daughter as his wife. The moran on the left is a witness,
the one on the right is the best man.
This picture is taken on a special occasion, 'esulusulu' in Masai language. The day
after the moran returned from hunting and killing a lion, he receives congratulations.
He is here seen holding a crowned spear, his wife on his right side. Behind him is his
best man, on his left is the wife of the witness facing him.
The old lady ('engoko'), dressed in blue, is the one responsible to join the morani,
advise them not to fight each other nor to steel each others' cattle so as to keep
peace between them. The two morani on the far left and the far right are enemies,
however.
This picture was taken on the wedding day of the girl on the left. She got married
with an old man. Herself didn't want to get married by this old man, who already paid
a number of cows to the girls' father. The girl asked her father to return the cows
and even give some more cows back, in order not to have to marry the old man. Her
father refused, and so they got married. The girl on the right got married before to
a young man of the same boma.
This girl was recently married to an old man, who already had 3 wifes. As the
youngest wife she cannot tell the other wifes what to do, and certain jobs like
fetching water, bringing firewood or sweaping the floor, is for the younger ones. She
will now ask her husband to marry another wife in order to get some help.
This picture was taken on the wedding day of the Moran and the lady on the left. The
girl was raised by her mothers' younger sister, who is seen here on the right. As she
did not have children yet, she was given the firstborn daughter of her sister after
birth. She raised her as her own child. It was she who decided to give the girl to the
Moran to marry. The Moran did not have to pay a single cow for the girl, but he must
now make sure that his mother in law will never have shortage of tea leaves, sugar and
medicine. Notice the red powder the bride and groom put on their faces. This is a
usual costum for celebrations, as it protects against «wachawi» (wizzards, bad witch
doctors).
All above picture were taken in the Simanjiro area. They were collected
and commented upon by Lazaro M. Mollel. Lazaro belongs to the Masai
tribe and lives in the area. He or Saruni will be your guide on the Simanjiro
trekking (see our "trekkings" page in your language :
English,
Nederlands,
Français).
