Maasai in Tanzania: Customs, Traditions, and Visitor Tips

I’ve been on safari in Tanzania twice, and one of the most unforgettable, non-animal experiences, was meeting the Maasai people. You’ve probably seen photos of them in their bright red and blue robes, standing tall with their cattle against the African plains. But, seeing it in real life is on a whole different level. It’s not just beautiful—it’s truly eye-opening.

Along the routes on my trips to two safari trips with Shadows of Africa, I saw the Maasai people dozens of times. Not only are they scattered throughout the main roads, mostly herding their cattle, but their villages are also sporadically spread on the long stretches of land.

We were able to stop and learn more about them on both my trips, and here’s a little peek into their culture and what to expect from visiting them while on a safari.

A Little Backstory on the Maasai Tribe

Okay, before I visited a Maasai village, I wanted to understand a little more about who they are—and wow, their history is fascinating.

The Maasai are a semi-nomadic tribe from East Africa, mostly found in northern Tanzania and Kenya. They speak a language called Maa (which comes from the Nilotic language family), and their roots go way back. According to their own oral history, the tribe originally came from around Lake Turkana in Kenya and slowly migrated to where they are now sometime between the 1600s and 1700s.

Historically, they were known as fierce warriors and skilled hunters, but raising cattle? That was their main thing—and still is today. Cattle are basically everything in Maasai culture: they represent wealth, status, and survival.

By the mid-1800s, the Maasai were at their peak in both population and land. But then came a devastating blow. In the late 19th century, they lost over half of their people. Can you imagine? Smallpox, extreme drought, and a cattle disease called rinderpest hit them all at once.

Then, in the 20th century, a lot of the land they once roamed freely was turned into national parks and reserves. The government started encouraging them to give up their traditional herding lifestyle and settle down to farm instead. And while a few Maasai have moved to cities for education or work, most have stayed committed to their traditional way of life.

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Visiting the Maasai While on Safari

If you ever find yourself on safari in East Africa, there’s a good chance your itinerary will include a visit to a Maasai village—and if it does, don’t even think about skipping it.

Both times I visited a Maasai village, the experience was super similar (and equally heartwarming). We pulled up and were welcomed by the chief, along with a group of smiling women and curious (and seriously adorable) kids. They walked us through their village, gave us a peek inside their traditional huts, and shared a glimpse of what daily life looks like for them.

We chatted about their culture, their customs, and their deep connection to cattle—and then came the highlight: the iconic jumping dance! They performed it with so much pride and energy, then invited us to join in (it’s harder than it looks!).

And the children? They were all over us in the sweetest way. Hugging, holding hands, uncontrollably giggling…they’re just as fascinated by you as you are by them.

Here’s what I learned from my visit:

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Maasai Tribe Culture

Maasai Homes

Since the Maasai traditionally move every few years—usually every 3 to 4—once the grazing land has been used up, their homes are built to be temporary. That means their huts (called enkaji) are made from natural materials like branches and brushwood, then coated with a mix of mud, clay, and dried cattle dung. Yep, you read that right—cow dung! It’s surprisingly practical and helps insulate the home.

You can spot a Maasai homestead by the small cluster of these cow-dung huts with straw roofs. They don’t have windows, just a doorway, and most have a small fireplace inside. Beds? Those are simply animal skins or tarps laid over the mud floor. And here’s something incredible: it’s the women who are responsible for building the huts. They even carry the materials on their backs from one location to the next.

During my visits, I had the chance to step inside two of these homes—both built entirely by the women of the village. Each one had about two to three tiny rooms. One for the couple, one for the kids, and a central area that served as the kitchen. With no windows, it was incredibly dark inside, and each room was maybe the size of a walk-in closet—around 5 by 6 feet.

The bedrooms were bare, just blue tarps spread across the floor. The kitchen areas were simple and functional, with a dirt floor and just the basics—things like ceramic mugs, teapots, plastic bowls, and a few towels. It was incredibly humbling to see how much they do with so little.

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The Importance of Cattle to the Maasai People

To the Maasai people, cattle aren’t just animals—they’re currency, nourishment, status, and a way of life all rolled into one.

Cattle are traded for goods, used in ceremonies, and are the main source of food. The milk and meat sustain them, while the hides become bedding or shields, and even the dung has a purpose—it’s used to reinforce the walls of their homes (yep, seriously!). But their connection to cattle goes much deeper than practicality. The Maasai believe it’s their responsibility to care for all the cattle in the world. That belief is one of the reasons they continue their semi-nomadic lifestyle—constantly on the move to find fresh pastures with enough food and water for their herds.

In their culture, a person’s wealth isn’t measured in money—it’s measured in cattle, wives, and children. So, when you see a Maasai man with a large herd, know that it’s more than livestock—it’s legacy.

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Maasai Food, Drink & Diet

The backbone of the Maasai diet? Milk, meat, and—brace yourself—cattle blood. Yep, you read that right. While cows are their main source of nourishment, they’ll also eat goat or lamb on occasion. But it’s the blood that really stands out.

On special occasions or when someone’s healing (especially during rites of passage like circumcision for boys), they’ll carefully nick a cow’s jugular vein to collect blood for drinking. It’s a ritual, and it’s done in a way that doesn’t harm the animal long-term.

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Maasai Religion

Traditionally, the Maasai believe in one god named Engai, who shows up in two forms: the kind, nurturing black god, and the more intense, vengeful red god. Their spiritual leader, the Laibon, plays the role of healer, prophet, and all-around wise person. Nowadays, you’ll also find Christian and Muslim members within the community, but many still hold tight to their traditional beliefs too.

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Maasai Songs and Jumping Dance

Music and movement are huge parts of Maasai life. Their traditional songs are led by someone called the olaranyani—basically the lead singer—who kicks off the tune with a call. Then, everyone joins in with harmonies in a beautiful call-and-response style.

And then there’s the dance. You’ve probably seen it: the one where the men jump straight up into the air, higher than seems humanly possible. It’s a rite of passage and a show of strength. During both of my visits, we were greeted with this vibrant dance—chanting, jumping, the whole thing.

The men leapt like gazelles, while the women moved in a rhythmic, bouncing motion. At one point, they even pulled me into the circle to join in, and let’s just say… I confirmed that even bouncing in place is apparently not my strong suit!

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Maasai Clothing

Traditionally, Maasai clothes were made from animal skins, but today, they wear brightly colored shukas—those beautiful red or blue fabrics wrapped around the body. And the beadwork? Stunning. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are worn by both men and women, and many tribe members have stretched earlobes with metal hoops, which are considered a sign of beauty.

Aside from the red and blue, newly circumcised young men usually wear all black, while women prefer vibrant patterns—stripes, checks, you name it.

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Maasai Women

Okay, here’s where I have so much respect. The women of the tribe do a lot. While the men tend the cattle and take on the warrior roles, the women are holding down the fort—building the homes, raising the kids, collecting water, and doing most of the daily labor.

They marry young and often have many children, and yes, the Maasai live a polygamous lifestyle. In fact, we were told that many women welcome an additional wife being added to the family—because the more wives, the more the workload gets divided.

If you want to read more about the Maasai, there are many autobiographical books on the market. but, two of the top ones are Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna and Among the Maasai.

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Maasai People Video

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