Visiting a nomadic Masai tribe must be one of my most colourful experiences. They are driven by their passion for their land and cattle.
Their daily life revolves around their cattle. Status is derived from their relationship to their cattle and the amount of children they have. The more cattle a Masai has, the richer and more powerful he becomes within his tribe.
The Masai have adapted to this beautiful country. Their staple food is cow’s milk mixed with blood – they believe that this diet makes them much stronger. A small arrow is used to make and insert into the cow’s neck, taking the blood from the live animal. It is amazing to see with what precision and care this insert is made into the jugular vein of a cow. To stop the blood, the Masai warrior takes a hand full of mud, holding it against the neck until all bleeding has stopped with no harm to the cow.
Believing their goddess Enkai gave the cows to them, the Masai have great respect for their animals. While it’s the women’s task to milk the cows, the men have the responsibility of herding and guarding these sacred animals. They sleep on the cowhides and even use cow dung to build their houses.
What amazed me most was the gentle nature with which the Masai was making the insert into the neck, while around me women were milking the other cows, singing songs to them. It is obvious that they treasure this significant animal and treat them with the greatest respect.
Depicting Life
Chris Litschka
www.chrisphotography.co.za
8 Responses
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Jei
August 24, 2010
Beautiful Chris! I wish I could have been there with you to see this gentle tribe. Thanks for sharing.
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Chris Litschka
August 24, 2010
Next time!!!!!
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Lenette
August 24, 2010
It is from the inner circle that the outside truth becomes evident. What a spectacular scenery, cows milling about — wait! I can hear the milkers’ songs.
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Rols
August 25, 2010
Stunning, beautifully written. One can almost smell and feel the atmosphere.
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Marj
August 25, 2010
Go girl! A lovely article…and very interesting.
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B
August 30, 2010
How amazing that primitive ways stilll exist outside of our busy lives.
Thank you for the insight and pondering of this existence.
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Murk
September 29, 2010
I always motivated by you, your opinion and attitude, again, thanks for this nice post.
- Murk
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Chris Litschka
December 6, 2010
Great to hear you enjoyed it so much. Thanks
Leave Your Reply
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Jei
August 24, 2010
Beautiful Chris! I wish I could have been there with you to see this gentle tribe. Thanks for sharing.
-
Chris Litschka
August 24, 2010
Next time!!!!!
-
Lenette
August 24, 2010
It is from the inner circle that the outside truth becomes evident. What a spectacular scenery, cows milling about — wait! I can hear the milkers’ songs.
-
Rols
August 25, 2010
Stunning, beautifully written. One can almost smell and feel the atmosphere.
-
Marj
August 25, 2010
Go girl! A lovely article…and very interesting.
-
B
August 30, 2010
How amazing that primitive ways stilll exist outside of our busy lives.
Thank you for the insight and pondering of this existence.
-
Murk
September 29, 2010
I always motivated by you, your opinion and attitude, again, thanks for this nice post.
- Murk
-
Chris Litschka
December 6, 2010
Great to hear you enjoyed it so much. Thanks
