Maasai Language Overview & Subtribes - Harry Drimoussis

In Kenya, tribes are differentiated by their language. For the Maasai people, it is their identity that truly sets them apart. The word Maasai means ‘my people’, and while ‘Maa’ means the language, there are sixteen subtribes of the Maasai that all share the same language. These tribes are as follows: Ildamat, Ilpurko, Ilkeekonyokie, Iloitai, Ilkaputiei, Ilkankere, Isiria, Ilmoitanik, Iloodokilani, Iloitokitoki, Ilarusa, Ilmatatapato, Ilwuasinkishu, Kore, Parakuyu, and Ilkisonko. These central core East African people are predominantly classified as being historically, culturally and developmentally vital to this region of Kenya. For a region that is typically known for being under developed, the Maasai people have found social and societal roles within their community. This enables them to be noble, proud and independent people, allowing themselves to live a nomadic lifestyle of herding sheep, goats and cattle. By taking from the Earth, and also giving to the Earth; the Maasai people have been able to avoid a loss of resources. This allows them to be able to stay in one region for generations, with a constant rejuvenation of animals and goods. The Maasai language stretches far and wide around Eastern Africa, and as a result, the people that speak it have a connection deeper than the language itself.

Language, Livestock & Community

The ‘Maa’ speaking peoples are so large and vast, the East African Maasai are often referred to as “Maasai Proper”. This large region only represents forty percent of the total ‘Maa’ population. Although scholars believe the ‘Maa’ people originated from the Nile base in Southern Sudan, the roots of their language traces them back to the Nile Valley in Egypt. There are over three million Maasai, and have spread to regions in Kenya and Tanzania; far from their emigrational roots in Egypt. Modern day governments often try and claim Maasai lands and livestock from them. They claim they have too many animals, and too much land. In fact, the Maasai are very efficient livestock producers, and within the tribes, they believe that the reason for this is because of their great respect for the Earth and Mother Nature. They move their herds from one place to another to find fresh water sources, and to give the grass a chance to grow again. Traditionally, this is made possible by a communal land tenure system in which everyone in a locality shares access to water and pasture. However, individuals are obliged to respect private water points and grazing grounds where each household cares for its young and sick animals. In times of drought the Maasai of a given locality will allow others, including non-Maasai groups, to enter their lands, because they know that at another time they might themselves be in need of access to others' land to sustain their herds.

References:

--The Maasai and Maa-Speaking Peoples of East Africa  et. al.

2010 Oxford Bibliographies, Reference from Kenya.

--African IP Trust et.al.

The Maasai-2010-The Maasai Intellectual Property Initiative.