University of Wisconsin Milwaukee UWM Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations August 2013 Maasai Identity in the 21st Century Allison Marie Kotowicz University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.uwm.edu/etd Part of the African Studies Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Kotowicz, Allison Marie, "Maasai Identity in the 21st Century" (2013). Theses and Dissertations. 715. https://dc.uwm.edu/etd/715 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by UWM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UWM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MAASAI IDENTITY IN THE 21 ST CENTURY by Allison Marie Kotowicz A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Anthropology at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee August 2013 ABSTRACT MAASAI IDENITTY IN THE 21 ST CENUTRY by Allison Marie Kotowicz The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2013 Under the Supervision of Professor Dr. Cheryl Ajirotutu The Maasai people of East Africa have managed to retain much of their culture and traditions in the face of colonialism and increasing internal and external pressures. The Maasai have been viewed by many as the iconic, traditional representation of Africa. This representation affects perceptions and ideas about what it means to be Maasai. However, a person or group’s identity is not a static, singular phenomenon, but composed of multiple identities and layers which are constantly changing. In today’s world, the Maasai are faced with changes and challenges from processes such as globalization and modernity. As the world becomes more globalized and interconnected, the pastoralist lifestyle is becoming more difficult to maintain. In a culture like the Maasai where the cow and pastoralism plays a central role, what will happen to this culture when pastoralism is no longer a viable way of life? What happens when the continuity of the past lifestyle and culture is uncoupled? In the 21 st century changes are occurring that are affecting the Maasai. These changes are multi-tiered occurring locally, nationally and globally. At each level there are stakeholders who participate in informing the scope of change with all of its challenges, consequences and transformation due in part to the influence globalization and modernity. ii This research seeks to understand the significance of identity in social change, especially in the face of globalization and modernity. How do these changes and transformations influence what it means to be Maasai from the etic and emic points of view, emphasizing the ways in which the Maasai are active participants in social change and the resulting transformations. This research makes use of three aspects of Maasai identity to illustrate the implications of social change on the: “the culture of the cow”, clothing, and rites of passage. Each of these aforementioned areas reflects the complex and dynamic processes at work when considering what it means to be Maasai in the 21 st century. The research also addresses questions of change and its effect on the sectors within the Maasai population. They are faced with negotiating their identity and what it means to be Maasai in the 21 st century. Keywords: Identity, Globalization, Modernity, Representation, Maasai, Tanzania, 21 st Century iii © Copyright by Allison Marie Kotowicz, 2013 All Rights Reserved iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract……………………………………………………………………....ii List of Figures………………………………………………………………..vi Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………viii Chapter 1: Introduction……………………………………………………….1 Chapter 2: Literature Review………………………………………………...7 Chapter 3: Methodology…………………………………………………….32 Chapter 4: “Culture of the Cow”……………………………………………50 Chapter 5: Clothing………………………………………………………….74 Chapter 6: Rites of Passage…………………………………………………102 Chapter 7: Discussion and Conclusion……………………………………..136 References…………………………………………………………………..146 Appendix A: Interview Chart……………………………………………….154 Appendix B: Verbal Consent Script…………………………………………157 Appendix C: Interview Guide- Youth……………………………………….161 Appendix D: Interview Guide- Elder………………………………………..165 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Maasai Warriors Singing and Dancing at Circumcision Ceremony…………..1 Figure 2: Map of East Africa……………………………………………………………..7 Figure 3: Maasai Women Preparing Jewelry for a Maasai Wedding Ceremony……….13 Figure 4: Maasai Family outside of their home………………………………………….21 Figure 5: Map of Traditional Maasai Land……………………………………………....24 Figure 6: Author visiting with Maasai family…………………………………………....32 Figure 7: Entry into the field: I am explaining the research project to Maasai family…..39 Figure 8: I am helping clean containers used to store cow’s milk ………………………41 Figure 9: Conducting interview with Maasai woman……………………………………45 Figure 10: Maasai youth preparing to give cow injection of medicine………………….50 Figure 11: Maasai boma with cattle kraal and houses…………………………………...52 Figure 12: Maasai women milking cow………………………………………………….56 Figure 13: Maasai home built from bricks……………………………………………….58 Figure 14: Traditional Maasai home…………………………………………………….60 Figure 15: Example of Maasai farm growing maize…………………………………….62 Figure 16: Maasai women working on beadwork………………………………………..74 Figure 17: Maasai family at master’s graduation ceremony……………………………..76 Figure 18: Maasai man with face and clothing covered in red ocher…………………....79 Figure 19: Maasai warrior………………………………………………………………..80 Figure 20: Maasai women with children preparing animal skin…………………………82 Figure 21: Example of Maasai clothing made from animal hide and decorated with beads……………………………………………………………………………………..83 Figure 22: Example of Maasai clothing made from animal hide, covered in red ocher, and decorated with beads……………………………………………………………………..84 Figure 23: Maasai warriors dancing……………………………………………………..86 Figure 24: Maasai warriors with decorations and dressed in contemporary Maasai clothing which is imported……………………………………………………………..88 vi Figure 25: Group of Maasai children in contemporary cloth dress ……………………91 Figure 26: Group of Maasai children in school uniforms………………………………92 Figure 27: Maasai children in cloth dress dyed with red ocher………………………...93 Figure 28: Grooming: Maasai women putting on red ocher…………………………….94 Figure 29: Young Maasai women wearing traditional beading and the contemporary Maasai clothing made from imported cloth……………………………………………..99 Figure 30: Maasai women with child dressed in beaded animal skins………………..100 Figure 31: Maasai boys preparing for circumcision ceremony………………………...102 Figure 32: Maasai warriors walking around cattle kraal at male circumcision ceremony………………………………………………………………………………..104 Figure 33: Maasai boys preparing to be circumcised……………………………………………………………………………..114 Figure 34: Group of Maasai celebrating at male circumcision ceremony………………………………………………………………………………..131 Figure 35: Young calves………………………………………………………………..136 vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My thanks to the following institutions for which this research would not have been possible namely the Tanzanian Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) for allowing me to conduct research in Tanzania and the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee (UWM) Graduate School, specifically the Anthropology Department for providing an enriching academic environment to grow as both a researcher and academician. This research would also not have been possible without the continued support of the Advanced Opportunities Program Fellowship (AOP). The AOP Fellowship allowed me to focus more intensely on my research while at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. There are also a number of individuals who have helped me throughout my research journey. First and foremost, I would like to thank my graduate school advisor, Dr. Cheryl Ajirotutu for her patience, guidance, understanding, and encouragement throughout the research and writing process. I also want to thank Dr. Abera Gelan and Dr. Erica Bornstein, mentors and advisors on my thesis committee, for their continued support and insight into this complex topic of representation and identity. Thank you also to Dr. Nancy McDowell and Dr. Nancy Krusko, my advisors from Beloit College, for introducing me to anthropology and the joys of fieldwork. A special thanks goes out to my first Tanzanian host family from my first trip to Tanzania. You supported my research and gave me a wonderful first introduction to the Tanzanian people and culture. The foundation you have given me has kept me coming viii back to Tanzania for many years. Also, thanks to all of my friends in Tanzania who helped me throughout this endeavor. A special thank you also to my parents, Mark and Jessica Kotowicz, for their constant support, physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. Finally, my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude goes to the Maasai community and the families of the village where this research was conducted. You welcomed me, a total stranger, into your lives and into your homes and made me feel welcome. You gave me insight into a world which I knew little about and shared your lives with me. For this I will be eternally grateful. You have made a far greater impact on my life than you will ever know. I hope to continue to work with you in the future and dedicate this work to you. ix 1 Chapter 1 Figure 1: Maasai Warriors Singing and Dancing at Circumcision Ceremony. Source: Allison Kotowicz 2012. Chapter 1: Introduction Since the