Maasai Village Visit

When we were in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve for our safari, we visited a Maasai manyatta (village). About 60-70 people live in one manyatta and they are basically one big extended family. The Maasai people are herders, caring for their cattle, goats, and sheep. The entire manyatta is surrounded by a fence made of olive tree branches and there are pens inside for the animals made of acacia tree branches. The Maasai warriors sleep outside of the fence in order to protect the manyatta from predators like lions. The village welcomed us with dances and said goodbye with dances. They showed us one of the houses which is constructed of branches and mud/cow dung. They were in the process of building a new manyatta, located about 100 yards from their old/current manyatta. They were warm and friendly people and it was very interesting to learn a little about their culture. And of course, at the end, we were able to buy a few souvenirs. I don't know how this happened, but Chris went home with a club, spear and shield. Abby bought a pink bead necklace and Andrew bought a lion tooth necklace!