The document discusses and compares two East African pastoralist groups, the Turkana and Masai. The Turkana are semi-nomadic herders who move their livestock in response to changing environmental conditions and divide their herds based on water availability, relying on social networks for flexibility. The Masai are mainly cattle herders in a more moist environment and practice transhumance rather than opportunistic movement; their social organization involves patriarchal households and age sets that determine status. Both groups rely on livestock, especially cattle, for their livelihoods and place high cultural importance on warriorhood, but treat women as marginalized and their status depends on bearing sons.

1. African Pastoralists Masai and Turkana

2. East Africa Pastoralists East Africa are predominantly herdsmen They include Masai and Turkana (covered here) They also include Tiriki, Afar, Jie, Kikuyu, and numerous others Cattle are their animals—and source of wealth They are patrilineal and patriarchal Warfare is widespread, consisting mostly of cattle theft and defense of herds

3. Turkana: Subsistence Base Turkana live in variable, mostly arid environments They herd a variety of animals: cattle, camels, goats, sheep, and donkeys Camels and goats are valued for their ability to go without water for days Cattle (including the humped zebu) are herded in the most watered valleys Herds are divided opportunistically, according to changing climate conditions.

4. Turkana: Social Organization I Organized into extended families of a man, his wives, and children Reckoning is by patrilineal descent. However, they also have extensive social networks: Through affines (kin by marriage) Through close relatives Through friendship ties via exchanges

5. Turkana: Social Organization II Nevertheless, they do not perceive themselves as a tribe beyond the household Male kin are reckoned, but they do not form organized lineages or clans Unlike many East African tribe, there is no age set or age grade They are individualistic, forming larger temporary groups as necessity dictates

6. Turkana: Basic Cultural Pattern Turkana are faced with changing environmental conditions How and where they herd their animals vary with these conditions They may separate their herds: camels to dry areas, cattle to better watered areas. Their networks—kin and friendship—provided social flexibility. Read “Case 8: The Case of Kenya” for more details

7. Masai: Subsistence Base Unlike the Turkana, Masai are mostly cattle herders Their environment is somewhat more moist, but drought does occur Their herding is transhumant rather then opportunistic, unlike the Turkana Cattle is exploited for milk and blood, hides, horns, and meat on occasion Cattle are more useful as food when alive than when slaughtered

8. Masai: Social Organization They are organized into polygynous, extended family households There is a strong patriarchy of the household. Laibon (chiefs) dominate the Masai, and wealth is unevenly distributed

9. Age Grades and Age Sets At age 12 and up, boys become moran or warriors After initiation, that includes circumcision At age 25 or so, they become Junior Elders: Eligible to marry, form households, and obtain cattle. Later in life, they become Senior Elders, with greater governing and judicial responsibilities

10. Masai Gender Relations As you will see in Masai Women , women are among the most marginal in the world They endure clitoridectomy, presented in this film in a sanitized version as “circumcision” They do not own cattle and their property is limited to milking gourds and personal items If they do not bear sons, their life will be one of enduring poverty. Masai Women provides these and other details

11. Masai Women Note the following about Masai Women : Observe indications of women’s low status What happens if they don’t bear children? What about lovers, especially warriors? What property do they have?

12. Warriorhood among the Masai Rain Warriors provides a fictional study of several Masai themes The fear of drought The magical powers of animals, especially of the lion Wachuva The teamwork of teenaged warriors, who presumably belong to the same age set Beliefs that the same lion is withholding the rain

13. Rain Warriors Observe the following: What was unusual about sending experience teen warriors on the quest? Why was this seen to be necessary? Why was the father reluctant to allow Morono to go on the hunt? What does herding goats have to say about one’s socioeconomic status?

14. African Pastoralists: Conclusion Largely tribal, though incipient chiefdom is evident among Masai All rely on cattle, though other animals (goats, even camels) may be present Women are second-class citizens—if citizens at all instead of property Barrenness is a serious problem—women always pray for sons