For the Maasai, cattle are much more than livestock: they represent food, wealth, family ties, tradition, and a way of life that has been passed down from parent to child for generations.
A Maasai without cattle was traditionally considered poor, regardless of how many other possessions he had.
Runderen voorzien de Maasai van belangrijke voedingsmiddelen:
Milk is the daily staple food and is drunk fresh or fermented.
Blood is sometimes drunk mixed with milk as a nutritious beverage, especially during special occasions or recovery from illness.
Meat is usually only eaten during ceremonies, feasts, or when an animal is no longer suitable to strengthen the herd.
By using milk and occasionally blood, the Maasai can maintain their herd without having to slaughter animals regularly.
The number of cattle a family owns traditionally determines its wealth and status. The larger the herd, the more prestige a family enjoys within the community.
Cattle play an important role in marriages. The groom's family traditionally gives a number of cattle to the bride's family. This is not a "purchase" of a bride, but an age-old tradition that strengthens the bond between the two families and symbolizes mutual respect.
More than food
Cattle provide more than just food:
Cow dung is used for building and insulating houses.
Hides are processed into clothing, bedding, or other utensils.
Horns and bones can be used for tools or decorative objects.
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