Maasai Cultural Heritage and Annual Festival

Learn all about Maasai Cultural Heritage and Annual Festival

Also Appears In: Culture Class: Holidays in Kenya Throwback Thursday

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Kenya Series at SwahiliPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Kenyan holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 11, Maasai Cultural Heritage and Annual Festival. In Swahili, it’s called Sikukuu ya kusherehekea utamaduni wa jamii ya wamaasai.

The Maasai Cultural Heritage and Annual Festival is a day that was begun to preserve the Maasai culture, or utamaduni wa Maasai, together with plants and forests. This day is recognized every year in either August or September.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

Why is the Maasai community regarded as so special in Kenya?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

This event is held at Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site or Kiwanja cha Enzi ya kabla ya Historia cha Olorgesailie. The main organizers are the ACC and SORALO, which are groups that engage in cultural conservation. During the festival, elders will bless the land and the Maasai's livestock, and ladies sing and dance to traditional songs and unload luggage from donkeys. The luggage includes food, cultural products, and other items used during these celebrations.

A speech is usually given by representatives from conservation groups, the national museum, the minister of culture, and other distinguished guests.

Today, this festival is an opportunity to teach younger generations about the Maasai era. They also receive important education on how to preserve this special culture and its traditions. Youth also learn about the importance of such cultural knowledge now and in the future, especially for what it means to both domestic and international tourism.

The Maasai Cultural Museum, currently under construction at Olorgesailie, will display the traditional culture and traditions of Kenya throughout the year. Once it is completed, this day will be celebrated as a commemoration, or ukumbusho.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

Why is the Maasai community regarded as so special in Kenya?

The Maasai of Kenya are seen as quite special as they have refused to embrace modern lifestyles, instead continuing to preserve their traditional cultural practices.