The Maasai people are a large pastoral community living along the Great Rift Valley of Kenya and Tanzania. While their exact origins are unknown, they are thought to be related to the Nilotes of the Nile region, and the Hamites of northern Africa. Historians believe that the Maasai migrated south from North Africa along the Nile into East Africa in the fifteenth century.

It is estimated that there are about 500,000 Maasai living in both Tanzania and Kenya, as accurate census figures are difficult to obtain. The Maasai occupy an area covering approximately 160,000 square kilometers, which is generally known as Maasailand. The Maasai homeland is divided into about 12 geographical sections, each of which has its own dialect, ceremonies and leadership.

Maasai society is structured in an age-oriented system, where each man passes through 3 main life stages: boyhood, warriorhood and elderhood. Stage transitions are marked by individual ceremonies involving various activities that are enjoyed by the entire community.

Traditional Maasai homesteads, also known as enkang, are usually arranged in a circular manner and are typically comprised of three main structures. An outer wall is built out of thorny shrubs or closely planted poles to keep predators out of the homestead. Along the inside of the fence are small, round huts, which are built using sticks that are plastered together using a mixture of mud and cow dung. Finally, a pen for cattle is situated in the center of the enclosure.

Cattle are central to Maasai culture. In each herd, all animals are individually recognized and known. In addition, the Maasai depend upon their livestock for milk, blood and meat. Cow urine is sometimes employed in medicines and cow dung is commonly used for building and construction.

A large herd of cattle is acknowledged as a sign of wealth within the Maasai community. However, in recent days, the Maasai have expanded their economic interests into agriculture, mining and tourism. While some would say that this is simply a sign of progress, others argue that the market economy is responsible for drawing the Maasai away from their cultural tradition, thus threatening the survival of Maasai cultural instititutions.