Maasai Indigenous Tribe and their Architecture
Maasai Indigenous Tribe and their African Architecture
Maasai Indigenous Tribe and their Architecture at Ngorongoro Crater is a wonderful place to visit. So whats it like. Here’s what you should know
How the Maasai let you in their village?
When you visit the Maasai Indigenous Tribe at Ngorongoro Crater the first thing you need to know is that you have to pay to see how they live. Fifty dollars was the price, but we persuaded him with fifty thousand shillings, which is about 21 dollars.
Why do they live inside the Crater?
One of the reasons why Maasai allowed to live inside the crater, is because they are not hunters and they enjoy small agriculture and livestock. So the Maasai tribe are the only ones allowed to live inside the crater. Anyone else who wants to stay inside here, has to pay.
Maasai Culture
The clothes for the messiah tribe men at Ngorongoro Crater are famous for their red blankets that are wrapped around their body. They carry spears as a sign of protection and their high jumping dance is called the ‘Adamu’ which is performed in circles with the leaders in the middle. And the women wear these large necklaces. One thing I’ve always liked about Maasai is the beautiful colours they wear. The Maasai Tribe have lived in Ngorongoro Crater for a a hundred years and are one of the few cultures that have never changed their culture for more than a thousand years and they live a simple life as you can tell and live off the land
Women
Maasai women used to have a traditional ritual which was genital mutilation, including removal of the clitoris. The Maasai women do not get married out of love. The father chooses the husband when they’re still young girls. A woman who has been mutilated has more chances of being chosen because they are less likely to have an affair. Thankfully, this practice is now against the law. But I wonder how they enforce this.
The Village
The village is completely fenced by thorns and sticks to protect families from animals. Customary practices include bead work and fire. They are welcoming to show their life experience and untouched culture. Retrospectively, all the Maasai Tripe who i have encountered, have always been friendly, even in Dar Es Salaam, where I live and they’re well known for showing good hospitality to travelers. I respect their minimalist life. They’re going to show us their house now, which I’m looking forward to seeing
Maasai African Architecture
The Maasai huts take 7 days to build and are made from cow dung, grass and wooden sticks an tree trunks the dung keeps the house cool in the hot climate. This is wood from the tree and then this is bamboo here.
The houses are made by the women which explains why they are slightly low. A lot of the men have slouched backs because of the houses are slightly too short for them.
And that’s the Maasai traditional house for you.
Russell M. Henderson (AKA @ArchitectRussell) is a Chartered Architect who has worked and studied in 5 continents and currently works in Tanzania, East Africa. Russell also creates videos about Architecture & Travel on YouTube , TikTok, & Instagram.
Architect Russell Uncensored is podcast talking about an architects life unfiltered. From the over long education of 7 years to controversial topics such as RIBA and ARB to unusual architect experience abroad like working in Bangkok and Tanzania. This is content never before released on any platform and you can only get it here first. The truth through the eyes of Architect Russell, unfiltered and uncensored.
✅ More articles:
National Park In Tanzania African Safari
Architecture For Show – Do we really need it?
Tik Tok for Architects & Working Abroad
Crazy Architect Quotes Inspire Me: Top 20 Badass Quotes
