Introduction – Maasai Mara

1. Introduction – Maasai Mara

2. Location • The Maasai Mara is a large game reserve in south-western Kenya • It is named after the Maasaipeople for "spotted," an apt description for the circles of trees, scrub, savanna, and cloud shadows that mark the area. • It’s about 270 km from the capital city Nairobi and takes about 5-6 hours by road or 40-45 minutes by flight. Maasai Flag

3. MaasaiPeople • The Maasai are a proud semi-nomadic cattle-rearing people with a fascinating culture. • They are divided into a number of sub-tribes some of which share the Mara region. • They have a very special relationship with cattle which are essential to their life-style. • The Maasai have survived a troubled history but are under increasing pressure to conform with modern society.

4. Maasai Housing • Maasai families live in an Enkang (a form of enclosure, stockade or kraal) formed by a thick round 'fence' of sharp thorn bushes; this protects the tribe and their cattle, especially at night, from rival tribes and other predators. • The Enkang may contain 10-20 small squat huts made from branches pasted with fresh cow-dung (by the women) which bakes hard under the hot sun.

5. Maasai Housing • Maasai huts are very small, with perhaps two 'rooms' and not enough height for these tall people to stand upright or lie fully stretched. • They are also very dark with a small door-way and tiny hole in the roof. • The hole in the roof serves two purposes; it lets a little light into the hut but just as importantly it lets some smoke escape from the (cow-dung) fire which is kept alight for warmth and cooking - and perhaps to smoke off unwanted insects. • The Enkang used to be 'temporary' and something that could be built elsewhere if the Maasai had to migrate to fresh areas of grazing, although such action is less feasible these days.

6. Maasai Food • The cattle serve many purposes: • their milk and blood is used for food; • their hide is used for mattresses, shoes and other accessories; • their dung is used for plastering hut walls; • their (sterile) urine has some medicinal and cleansing qualities; • their meat is rarely taken for food (but may be used during ceremonies and in times of famine).

7. Wildlife • The Maasai Mara Ecosystem holds one of the highest lion densities in world and this is where over TWO MILLION Wildebeest, Zebra and Thomsons Gazelle migrate annually. Its hosts over 95 species of mammals and 570 recorded species of birds.

8. Wildlife Buffalo (Nyati) - Reputed to be the most dangerous animals as far as humans are concerned. Elephant (Tembo / Ndovu) - Largest and heaviest living land mammals Leopard (Chui) - Have become very rare and when found are often in trees where they like to carry and store their prey

9. Wildlife Lion (Simba) - Live in prides are generally lazy and spend much of the time resting Rhinoceros (Kifaru) - Have poor eye-sight but a good sense of smell and hearing plus great bulk and sharp horns

10. Wildlife Cheetah (Duma) - Fastest living mammals which can catch prey by chasing it at terrific speed Giraffe (Twiga) - The tallest living animal use their height to reach leaves high on trees

11. Wildlife Bustard - The Kori Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world Ostrich (Mbuni) - Largest living birds (up to 2.5m high and 150kg weight) with long powerful legs and able to run at over 50kph Vulture - Large scavenging birds (wingspan up to 3m) which use their excellent vision to locate carrion - or to see where other vultures have found food and are beginning to congregate

12. Fun and entertainment • A group of Maasai men showing their traditional "jumping dance.