The Masai are an indigenous ethnic group in Africa of around 900,000 semi-nomadic people who are settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania. They speak the language “Maa,” a language derived from Nilo-Saharan; they also speak the official languages of Tanzania and Kenya- Swahili and English respectively. They are amongst the tallest people in the world because of their high calcium intake.
Many people often wonder why they jump, but very few of them know the real reason. It is a sort of mating dance, a way for a Masai man to demonstrate his strength and attract a bride. Two men enter the centre and begin to jump, heels never touching the ground, bounding straight into the air to as high as they can go.
Everyone recognizes the Masai through their red cloths and high jumps. Their clothing varies with their gender. Traditionally, the Maasai used to dress in animal skins, but they now wear red cloths draped around their body, called “Shúkà” in the Maa language. They believe that the colour red can scare off lions, even from great distances. They also sport a great amount of beaded jewellery around their necks, arms and heads. The women shave their heads and are often dressed in colourful vibrant clothing. Additionally, they pierce their ears and stretch their earlobes as a standard of beauty. Masai jewellery plays a vital role in their culture and their cultural appearances.
Colours play a huge role when it comes to the clothing of these Masai. The colours worn by these Masai include black, blue, striped cloth with multicoloured local garments. The different colours of Masai apparel are important because they reflect several aspects of their culture. Blue signifies the colour of the sky that provides water in the form of rain, a fundamental resource for cattle. White symbolises the purity of milk- the staple food and source of energy for the Masai. Red is the most important colour for the Masai. While it represents blood and protection against wild animals, it also stands for courage, strength and the unity within the Masai community. Green refers to the lush foliage and land that provides food, nourishment, and agriculture. Yellow represents the sun, which revitalises life, and Orange means hospitality, friendship and the generosity of the Masai people.
Just like these vibrant colours, the lives of the Masai are energetic and brilliant. Their unique fashion sense and distinct ethnicity set them apart. However, like much of the fashion industry, they have something special to offer to the rest of the world, and it is up to us to recognise this elegance.
LINK TO PHOTOS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WVpc9mfB3qgeEJnRfO_YuHz-PK9ZY7VW?usp=drive_link
