The life of the Maasai

Sunday, 09/23.

I had been looking forward to this day for a long time.

Once seeing real Maasai, visiting their village, and experiencing their completely different way of life.

Unfortunately, our guide who had been with us for the past two days could not accompany us at the last minute, but his boss did. We did not get along with him at all and the day was not as enjoyable and smooth as we had hoped. But Ines and I made the best of it.

We were welcomed by 9 women who were singing in front of their village waiting for us. Wow, it was beautiful! I felt very honored.

All of the women are in a relationship with the 'Maasai man' of the village. Polygamy is completely normal here. The Maasai man has over a hundred children.

The women are sometimes also 'sold' to Maasai men from neighboring villages for a night. In return, they receive live animals, meat, or materials.

It's a crazy concept, but the women have no say in it.

We were allowed to dance with them, saw the huts they live in, and played a lot with the children, who were so excited to see us, touch our skin, and admire our hair.

Even though it sounds mean, we were sometimes disgusted by the Maasai. Everything was very dirty, flies were everywhere on their bodies, and I didn't want to imagine what diseases they might be carrying.

Going to a hospital would be a betrayal of their tribe. So they try to treat everything with herbal medicine and with the help of experienced medicine men.

These Maasai women also give birth at home only accompanied by their mothers or the other women.

Due to the strict laws in Tanzania, these children cannot be registered with the city and therefore have poor prospects of finding a school, university, or job outside their tribe later on.

After that, we visited a group of men. About 20 minutes walk away from the women. They are currently on a 3-month meat diet to become strong.

For 3 months, they are only allowed to eat meat and consume animal products. Like blood and milk.

Meat was hanging from three trees, insects crawling all over it. Well, it's a different culture. But for us Europeans, it's just disgusting, sorry.

I knew I wouldn't eat or drink anything here.

I can't imagine living like this anymore. And I feel a little sorry for the children here. They don't have the opportunity to choose their way of life. We are so fortunate in Germany to have so many opportunities. Many people don't appreciate that.

I am very grateful to have been born into a wonderful family that always supports me and allows me to follow my own path.

I often think of home and think about my dear family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and the women I work with.

Sending you all lots of love. Halfway through soon!

I will be back! But I wouldn't trade my life with the Maasai.