Ceremonies

Becoming a warrior

     The life of a Maasai warrior is cadenced by a series of rites of passage that elevate him to the next level of authority and responsibility within the community. Jonah explains they welcome a new ceremony with mixed feelings: although happy to gain more respect, they also leave behind the carefree life they had before the new graduation.

While still uncircumcised, the young Maasai boys begin their training by herding cattle, hunting small birds, fighting with theirfimbo sticks etc. They also endure many painful tests that include the removal of two front teeth, branding on their cheeks, tattooing, ear-piercing and eventually, circumcision (girls included). 

The Enkipaata (pre-circumcision ceremony). A group of boys aged 14 to 16 going around the villages for up to four months to announce the formation of their new age set. They are initiated by elders in a manyatta that contains 49 houses. On the eve of the ceremony, all boys must spend the night in the bush and, at dawn, should run back to the homestead in the manner of raiders. 

The Emurata (circumcision) is the most important initiation as it represents the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Shortly after puberty, both boys and girls are eager to be circumcised although, with the advancement of education and awareness, more girls refuse to be circumcised nowadays. On the day, before sunrise, the young boys receive a cold shower not only to cleanse themselves but also to become numb to the imminent pain. As they walk to the location of the operation, their male friends and age mates shout encouragements and threats such as  "If you kick the knife, we will kill you! If you run away from the knife, your society will disown you." Four men hold the boys by their feet and arms whilst a qualified elder performs the operation. The young men cannot cry or even flinch or they would bring shame to themselves and their family. During the healing period, which takes up to four months, they wear black cloths and are supposed to live and survive alone, not meeting even each other or anyone else. They must also kill a lion to prove their courage. 

Moranhood (warriors training). This is the most exciting time for the young men as, for up to ten years, they will become the next army. They live together in a manyatta away from women where, under the elders' guidance, they learn about the age set brotherhood, the art of oratory skills and animal husbandry. They are also tested for their endurance, courage, discipline, social and hunting skills. There are many taboos too, the main one being that while a moran (warrior), a man cannot drink milk from his own home, nor can he eat meat in the presence of circumcised women. He must never eat alone either, which forces him to socialise with his age mates, which promotes hospitality. Jonah explains being a moran is a great life as they can visit anymanyatta and seek a place to sleep and something to eat. The girls always welcome them with open arms as each wishes to marry a warrior. 

The Eunoto (senior warrior initiation) marks the day when the junior warriors are promoted to the ranks of seniors. Held once every 15 years, it provides them with the permission to marry, and thus to become fathers. The ceremony itself consists in the mothers shaving off their sons' long hair, before applying red ochre on their heads. As seniors, they are now allowed to drink alcohol (made of fermented aloe roots and honey) for the first time. 

A few months later, the warriors undergo the Enkang e-kule, the milk ceremony. Once again, they get their hair shaved by their mothers. This ceremony enables the warriors to eat and drink on their own. 

Enginasata Oo-ngirik (meat ceremony) is when the warriors become junior elders. The ceremony allows them to eat meat in the presence of women. I was fortunate to attend Jonah's graduation, which is detailed in the next post. 

The last initiation is Orngesherr (senior elder initiation). Held when the warriors are about 35-years-old, this ceremony makes them senior elders. From them on, they assume total responsibility for their family. They are given a beaded fly chaser made of cow tail, and a plastic chair, which will become their best friend until their death. 






The Meat Ceremony - Mashuru, December 2010
















The Kaputie Unite - Inbilin, May 2011