Threats to the Maasai Tribe

Throughout their history, the Maasai have been a nomadic tribe. They move around so their cattle can graze and the grass will regrow, this was possible with communal land and water agreements, many of which are no longer valid. Because the Maasai are being forced to settle, because their grazing lands are being turned into game parks and safari reserves, the tribe is subjected to dry soil with improper conditions for raising cattle. The Maasai near Loliondo, in Tanzania are in immediate danger, game hunters are burning down the Maasai villages and evicting many to make room for game hunting companies like Otterlo Business Corporation Ltd.

A Worldwide non-profit called Survival International seeks to preserve tribes around the world, Maasai being one of them. While the organization does not send workers into the area, they help the Maasai people fight against the authorities for grazing rights and land. On my trip to the Ngorongoro Crater, I saw a Maasai herdsman with his livestock. One successful mission of Survival International was in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Although, it is a Safari Park now, the Maasai have grazing rights here once again. Linked is a video of a land struggle in Kenya with the Massai people, you can see the posters that Survival International helped create to protest with the Maasai, for their land. The posters read "One Mob, One Voice, One Land"