In many cultures, spitting is a sign of irritation, disregard or disagreement. This is the opposite among the Maasai tribe of Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Although this tribe makes only about 1% of the population, they are internationally recognised and have become a tourist attraction. Their unique cultural practices and authentic way of life has been featured in many popular African series, such as The Gods Must Be Crazy.
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Why do the Maasai Spit?
- To bless a person- in a typical Tanzanian setting, people sit on their hands before shaking each other. This is a sign of endorsement and utmost respect. You don’t spend your precious spit on just anyone!
- To wish a new born baby good fortune- the Maasai tribe believes that if they say good things about a child when it is born, the child will be cursed and may not live a good life. So instead of jinxing the child’s good luck, they say bad things about the child, and spit on the child with the hope that this child wll life a long, happy life.
- To congratulate a bride- the father of a bride, on her wedding day makes a show of spitting on her forehead and breasts. This is to wish her good luck and pray that she be fertile.
More About The Maasai
The Maasai live a very unique way of life. They are mostly nomads, and those who arent nomads, work as tour hands and show the tourists around.
Maasai people are known for their dressing; they wear numerous circular beads around their waist and neck, and wear a headpiece.. Both men and worm adorn themselves with a red sheet-like material called Shuka.
Seeing as they rear cattle, this debunks the Western myth that cattle attack anything and anyone wearing bright red.
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