The Importance of Cattle

The Maasai culture revolves around cattle. They believe all cattle were given to them by their God, Ngai. This religious belief causes tension between Tanzanian people because today the Maasai still steal cattle. Social status and condition are centered on the amount of cattle each man owns. While the men own the cattle, it is their wives responsibility to care for the animals. This can be a large task for one women, so polygamy is encouraged and accepted by both sexes because it creates less work for each woman. Stealing cattle and polygamy are both accepted social norms to the Massai people. While these are uncommon practices, their diet often consists of drinks made from cow's blood and milk. This blood and milk is mixed in a gourd that has been coated in urine. The urine prevents the mixture to spoil. This is a traditional mixture made purely from cattle ingredients, an animal that truly defines their culture.