African Pastoralists

Compares the Turkana and Masai of Kenya.

1. African PastoralistsAfrican Pastoralists
Masai and TurkanaMasai and Turkana

2. East Africa PastoralistsEast Africa Pastoralists
East Africa are predominantly herdsmenEast Africa are predominantly herdsmen
They include Masai and Turkana (covered here)They include Masai and Turkana (covered here)
They also include Tiriki, Afar, Jie, Kikuyu, and They also include Tiriki, Afar, Jie, Kikuyu, and
numerous othersnumerous others
Cattle are their animals—and source of wealthCattle are their animals—and source of wealth
They are patrilineal and patriarchalThey are patrilineal and patriarchal
Warfare is widespread, consisting mostly of Warfare is widespread, consisting mostly of
cattle theft and defense of herdscattle theft and defense of herds

3. Turkana: Subsistence BaseTurkana: Subsistence Base
Turkana live in variable, mostly arid Turkana live in variable, mostly arid
environmentsenvironments
They herd a variety of animals: cattle, camels, They herd a variety of animals: cattle, camels,
goats, sheep, and donkeysgoats, sheep, and donkeys
Camels and goats are valued for their ability to Camels and goats are valued for their ability to
go without water for daysgo without water for days
Cattle (including the humped zebu) are herded Cattle (including the humped zebu) are herded
in the most watered valleysin the most watered valleys
Herds are divided opportunistically, according to Herds are divided opportunistically, according to
changing climate conditions.changing climate conditions.

4. Turkana: Social Organization ITurkana: Social Organization I
Organized into extended families of a Organized into extended families of a
man, his wives, and childrenman, his wives, and children
Reckoning is by patrilineal descent.Reckoning is by patrilineal descent.
However, they also have extensive social However, they also have extensive social
networks:networks:
Through affines (kin by marriage)Through affines (kin by marriage)
Through close relativesThrough close relatives
Through friendship ties via exchangesThrough friendship ties via exchanges

5. Turkana: Social Organization IITurkana: Social Organization II
Nevertheless, they do not perceive themselves Nevertheless, they do not perceive themselves
as a tribe beyond the householdas a tribe beyond the household
Male kin are reckoned, but they do not form Male kin are reckoned, but they do not form
organized lineages or clansorganized lineages or clans
Unlike many East African tribe, there is no age Unlike many East African tribe, there is no age
set or age gradeset or age grade
They are individualistic, forming larger temporary They are individualistic, forming larger temporary
groups as necessity dictatesgroups as necessity dictates

6. Turkana: Basic Cultural PatternTurkana: Basic Cultural Pattern
Turkana are faced with changing environmental Turkana are faced with changing environmental
conditionsconditions
How and where they herd their animals vary with How and where they herd their animals vary with
these conditionsthese conditions
They may separate their herds: camels to dry They may separate their herds: camels to dry
areas, cattle to better watered areas.areas, cattle to better watered areas.
Their networks—kin and friendship—provided Their networks—kin and friendship—provided
social flexibility.social flexibility.
Read “Case 8: The Case of Kenya” for more Read “Case 8: The Case of Kenya” for more
detailsdetails

7. Masai: Subsistence BaseMasai: Subsistence Base
Unlike the Turkana, Masai are mostly cattle Unlike the Turkana, Masai are mostly cattle
herdersherders
Their environment is somewhat more moist, but Their environment is somewhat more moist, but
drought does occurdrought does occur
Their herding is transhumant rather then Their herding is transhumant rather then
opportunistic, unlike the Turkanaopportunistic, unlike the Turkana
Cattle is exploited for milk and blood, hides, Cattle is exploited for milk and blood, hides,
horns, and meat on occasionhorns, and meat on occasion
Cattle are more useful as food when alive than Cattle are more useful as food when alive than
when slaughteredwhen slaughtered

8. Masai: Social OrganizationMasai: Social Organization
They are organized into polygynous, They are organized into polygynous,
extended family householdsextended family households
There is a strong patriarchy of the There is a strong patriarchy of the
household.household.
Laibon (chiefs) dominate the Masai, and Laibon (chiefs) dominate the Masai, and
wealth is unevenly distributedwealth is unevenly distributed

9. Age Grades and Age SetsAge Grades and Age Sets
At age 12 and up, boys become At age 12 and up, boys become moran moran or or
warriorswarriors
After initiation, that includes circumcisionAfter initiation, that includes circumcision
At age 25 or so, they become Junior Elders: At age 25 or so, they become Junior Elders:
Eligible to marry, form households, and obtain Eligible to marry, form households, and obtain
cattle.cattle.
Later in life, they become Senior Elders, with Later in life, they become Senior Elders, with
greater governing and judicial responsibilitiesgreater governing and judicial responsibilities

10. Masai Gender RelationsMasai Gender Relations
As you will see in As you will see in Masai WomenMasai Women, women are , women are
among the most marginal in the worldamong the most marginal in the world
They endure clitoridectomy, presented in this They endure clitoridectomy, presented in this
film in a sanitized version as “circumcision”film in a sanitized version as “circumcision”
They do not own cattle and their property is They do not own cattle and their property is
limited to milking gourds and personal itemslimited to milking gourds and personal items
If they do not bear sons, their life will be one of If they do not bear sons, their life will be one of
enduring poverty. enduring poverty.
Masai WomenMasai Women provides these and other details provides these and other details

11. Masai WomenMasai Women
Note the following about Note the following about Masai Masai
WomenWomen::
Observe indications of women’s low statusObserve indications of women’s low status
What happens if they don’t bear children?What happens if they don’t bear children?
What about lovers, especially warriors?What about lovers, especially warriors?
What property do they have?What property do they have?

12. Warriorhood among the MasaiWarriorhood among the Masai
Rain WarriorsRain Warriors provides a fictional study of provides a fictional study of
several Masai themesseveral Masai themes
The fear of droughtThe fear of drought
The magical powers of animals, especially The magical powers of animals, especially
of the lion Wachuvaof the lion Wachuva
The teamwork of teenaged warriors, who The teamwork of teenaged warriors, who
presumably belong to the same age setpresumably belong to the same age set
Beliefs that the same lion is withholding Beliefs that the same lion is withholding
the rainthe rain

13. Rain WarriorsRain Warriors
Observe the following:Observe the following:
What was unusual about sending What was unusual about sending
experience teen warriors on the quest?experience teen warriors on the quest?
Why was this seen to be necessary?Why was this seen to be necessary?
Why was the father reluctant to allow Why was the father reluctant to allow
Morono to go on the hunt?Morono to go on the hunt?
What does herding goats have to say What does herding goats have to say
about one’s socioeconomic status?about one’s socioeconomic status?

14. African Pastoralists: ConclusionAfrican Pastoralists: Conclusion
Largely tribal, though incipient chiefdom is Largely tribal, though incipient chiefdom is
evident among Masaievident among Masai
All rely on cattle, though other animals All rely on cattle, though other animals
(goats, even camels) may be present(goats, even camels) may be present
Women are second-class citizens—if Women are second-class citizens—if
citizens at all instead of propertycitizens at all instead of property
Barrenness is a serious problem—women Barrenness is a serious problem—women
always pray for sonsalways pray for sons