The Face of the Maasai

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Last July, I spent two days with a Maasai community at The Mkuru Training Camp in Uwiro Village, about a three-hour drive away from Moshi. The Mkuru Training Camp is located at the foothills of Mount Meru, just outside Arusha National Park, within one of the most important biodiversity areas of Tanzania: the Maasai Steppe.

My visit still remains one of the most spectacular cultural experiences of my life. I was literally the only guest there and had the thrill of doing a four-hour tour on foot with one of the Maasai warriors and a taking a one-on-one beading class with his mother. Despite modernization and the threat to their way of life, the Maasai still continue to live the way they have for centuries. Their beautiful dress and faces are unforgettable.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Mkuru Maasai Training Camp

Jacobo’s mother

Jacobo’s dad

Jacobo on left with his four brothers who have just been circumcized and wear black until they are ready to become moranis.

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Face.

34 thoughts on “The Face of the Maasai”

  1. Pingback: Face (in Flowers) | What's (in) the picture?

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Debra! It was very special.

      Reply ↓
  3. Miriam – Australia – I’m a wonder lusting woman, a musician, a freelance travel writer and magazine columnist. Utterly passionate about travel and life and turning the ordinary moments into the extraordinary. My motto is “just do it”.
    Miriam on said:

    Hi Nicole, you’ve had some truly remarkable travel experiences. The beautiful faces on these gentle people are priceless. A wonderful post for this weeks theme.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Miriam! I feel very fortunate to have experienced this! ☺️

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you!!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I do know how they make their earlobes enlarged! As a young girl, they start by making a small hole like the size for an earring and as time goes by they put in small sticks and then bigger sticks until the hike gets big enough to put in the heavy jewelry you see her wearing in the picture. The weight of the earring pulls down and stretches the earlobe until it is very big! Fascinating isn’t it.

      Reply ↓

      • Yikes. Fascinating, sure, but sounds painful. My mother always told me to keep sticks out of my ears. Now I know why!

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        lol!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sally! I hope you had a nice vacation.

      Reply ↓
  7. lexklein – I’m a restless, world-wandering, language-loving, book-devouring traveler trying to straddle the threshold between a traditional, stable family life and a free-spirited, irresistible urge to roam. Even when I was young, I always wanted to be somewhere else. I was the kid who loved camp, vacations, sleepovers, and all forms of transportation. Did my restlessness spring from a love of languages and other cultures? From a fiction fixation and all the places I’ve visited on the pages of a globeful of authors? I think it’s more primordial, though, an innate itch that demands scratching at regular intervals. I’m sure I won’t have a travel story every time I add to this blog, but I’ve got a lot! I’m a pretty happy camper (literally), but there is some angst as well as excitement in always having one foot out the door. Come along for the trip as I take the second step …
    lexklein on said:

    I seriously considered one or more of the beautiful Maasai faces I have in my photo archives for the challenge, but I’d done a whole Faces of Tanzania post before. Their faces show their keen intelligence, gentleness, difficult lives under the sun, joy, inner peace, and so much more. Thanks for sharing the faces of the Maasai people you met!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Can you send me the link to your Faces of Maasai post Lexi? Would love to see it!!!

      Reply ↓
      • lexklein – I’m a restless, world-wandering, language-loving, book-devouring traveler trying to straddle the threshold between a traditional, stable family life and a free-spirited, irresistible urge to roam. Even when I was young, I always wanted to be somewhere else. I was the kid who loved camp, vacations, sleepovers, and all forms of transportation. Did my restlessness spring from a love of languages and other cultures? From a fiction fixation and all the places I’ve visited on the pages of a globeful of authors? I think it’s more primordial, though, an innate itch that demands scratching at regular intervals. I’m sure I won’t have a travel story every time I add to this blog, but I’ve got a lot! I’m a pretty happy camper (literally), but there is some angst as well as excitement in always having one foot out the door. Come along for the trip as I take the second step …
        lexklein on said:

        Sure! You are sweet to ask! Here it is: https://lexklein.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/friday-photos-faces-of-tanzania/

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        I loved your post Lexi. Thanks so much for sharing!

  8. Tina Schell – I am passionate about photography, love traveling and exploring new places and faces, and seeing the world from different perspectives. My lens is always on the lookout for something beautiful or interesting.
    Tina Schell on said:

    These are wonderful Nicole – and how wonderful you had them all to yourself! Esp love the last.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much Tina! Yes it was quite special.

      Reply ↓
  9. heartandsoul974 – I am a happily married wife, mom,sister,daughter and WOMAN, who loves to write and has always loved it. As a young child I wrote short stories and as I grew I began to log my thoughts and feelings in a journal. It's been many years that I haven't written because of lack of confidence. Now I am at it again, doing what I love. You are invited to join me in my blog about everyday living in a small town. I hope YOU are living a life filled with joy and peace.❤️
    heartandsoul974 on said:

    So beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      So glad you enjoyed!

      Reply ↓
  10. lulu – Houston, TX & Rockport, ME – I am a fiber artist with special emphasis on weaving, but I love working with threads and cloth in a variety of mediums. New ideas, new ways of connecting threads are the spice of life.
    lulu on said:

    The Masai made such an impression on me to the point I think I was once a Masai woman.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I love that Lulu! I remember you saying that before when I wrote about my visit. When did you go?

      Reply ↓
      • lulu – Houston, TX & Rockport, ME – I am a fiber artist with special emphasis on weaving, but I love working with threads and cloth in a variety of mediums. New ideas, new ways of connecting threads are the spice of life.
        lulu on said:

        It has been about 15 years but the visit has stayed with me all these years.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        That must have been quite a powerful experience Lulu. I treasure these memories.

  11. Alison and Don – Occupation: being/living/experiencing/travelling. In our sixties, with apparently no other authentic option, my husband Don and I sold our apartment and car, sold or gave away all our stuff and set off to discover the world. And ourselves. We started in Italy in 2011 and from there have travelled to Spain, India, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South America, Egypt, Japan, etc. - you can see the blog archive. We travelled full-time for nearly six years, and then re-established a home in Vancouver. We now travel 2-3 months per year. We are interested in how the world works, how life works, how the creation of experience works, how the mind works. As we travel and both "choose" our course, and at the same time just let it unfold, we discover the "mechanics" of life, the astounding creativity of life, and a continual need to return to trust and presence. Opening the heart, and acceptance of what is, as it is, are keystones for us both. Interests: In no particular order: travel, photography, figure skating (as a fan), acceptance, authenticity, walking/hiking, joy, creativity, being human, adventure, presence, NOW. Same for Don except replace figure skating with Formula One motor racing.
    Alison and Don on said:

    What a beautiful glimpse into this culture. I love the photo of Jacobo’s mum – what a strong handsome woman. I hope we get there one day.
    Alison

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Alison! Yes she was pretty amazing. It was super cool to also get my one-on-one Maasai jewelry making class. I love Africa. Hope you get there too!

      Reply ↓

  12. Your photographs are quite beautiful and really do capture the spirit of the Masaai people.

    I have no idea when we will get to see and experience Africa, as of now we are so in love with Asia. But, being that I am South African I have always wanted to go to other parts of Africa and Tanzania in particular – it is at the head of my list of countries to visit.

    It was very timely to see and enjoy your post as we so recently were talking about when we might be able to get there …?!

    Is there a reason where you stayed was called a “training camp”?

    I love the last photo of the little boy smiling in the doorway. Terrific!

    Peta

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Wow, I had no idea you were South African Peta! I LOVE South Africa. Do you miss it? I can only imagine how amazing Asia is. I’ve only been to China, Japan, and then India and Nepal which is somewhat near. I figure with how far it is to fly and how much there is to see, that I will have to do it when my kids are older. I want to see it all!!! As for the “Training Camp” it is because the organization that I went to see is actually an Italian non-profit organization that established a training camp near the existing Maasai community to help train them on sustainable agriculture, economic empowerment and more. It is not one of those touristy visit the Maasai operations but actually a “camp” or “center” that works with the local community to help them sustain their heritage and culture and also achieve. Really amazing.

      Reply ↓

  13. Wow. What an amazing place to visit. Great photos and what a wonderful thing to do. We spent three months in North West Africa when we were first married. I need to come back and read the other post later.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      It was amazing Louise. Where did you go in NW Africa? Have you written about it on your blog?

      Reply ↓

  14. We went through Algeria, Niger, Mali, briefly through Senegal to get into Gambia. A lot of sand, I haven’t written about it. I may depending on if I can make some of the slides into digital files.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Wow Louise! That is quite an amazing trip! Must have been incredible to see all those places!

      Reply ↓

      • Yes three months, a lot of sand and I can say I have been to Timbuktoo.

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