By Alexis Mora C.


 
Maasai Culture vs. Globalization

                                  The Ant against the Giant
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   The Masaai are warrior nomad people who live along the Great Rift Valley, in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.  Over the years, their culture has remained almost intact despite the lurking worldwide phenomenon of globalization.
However, these colourful people who devote their lives mainly to cattle and goat herding are now under an imminent threat.  Some of the traditions, ceremonies and rituals that they practice are unfortunately against the principles and morals of a globalized world.

Female circumcision and Lion killing are controversial practices

  
 Two historically significant practices for the Maasai tribes- female circumcision and lion killing- are now considered illegal in most countries of the world.   According to Masaai culture, young women must undergo circumcision in order to reach maturity. Only then can they be ready for motherhood and marriage.

Circumcision marks the beginning of adulthood.

 

Female circumcision has been outlawed by modern legislation, which is why most Masaai females do not have to undergo this painful operation anymore.

     Male circumcision is also an important tradition for the Masaai since it is crucial for boys to become men and warriors. Male circumcision is still widely popular among men.

   The other controversial Masaai practice among the international community is lion killing. In Maasai Mara culture, there are only two acceptable reasons to kill a lion. The first one has to do with an ancient tradition. A young boy has to kill a lion in order to become a man. The second reason is tolerable when a lion attacks their cattle. Maasai use cattle instead of money, the more cows a man has, the more power he is given. The problem is that when a lion attacks a cow, the authorities from wildlife and conservationist organizations would do nothing. When a Maasai warrior kills a lion because of killing his cow, the authorities would send security personnel to arrest the warrior.




“It is acceptable for a lion to kill a cow but not acceptable for a warrior to kill a lion,”says a Maasai warrior.     


            

  
The Maasai have lived in Africa for thousands of years without jeopardizing wildlife or human life. Modern society, on the other hand, has caused serious trouble to the planet. Is then this globalized society the one to decide whether the Maasai are doing right or wrong?