Masai Mara Reserve Area; It is Kenya’s largest protected area. Masai Mara also encompasses the Serengeti National Park, which is located within the borders of Tanzania. The indigenous people living in the Masai Mara are called the Maasai people. This name means “spotted area” in the local language. The Masai Mara is particularly famous for the diversity of cats. Also different types of zebra can be found here. Between July and October, displacements occur each year, called the Serengeti’s great migration, and more than a million wildebeest migrate to the Masai Mara.
Initially, the total width of the Masai Mara was approximately 1821 km2, including the Mara Triangle. The wildlife sanctuary established in the area in 1948 had an area of 520 km2. However, due to increased animal diversity, the area was extended eastward in 1961 and became a fully protected area. Initially, the Narok Country Council (NCC) administered the area, but later about 162 km2 of the area was given back to the natives. In 1976, the total area of the reserve area was 1,510 km2.
In 1995, the TransMara Country Council (TMCC) was established in the western part of Masai Mara, which divided control of Masai Mara between TMCC and Narok County Municipality. In May 2001, the nonprofit Mara Conservation took over the management of the Mara Triangle. In this way, part of the Masai Mara was left completely under the control of the indigenous people.
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara
The Masai Mara Reserve area is known for its migration and displacement system known as the Mara ecosystem. Seasonal differences in life play an important role in this region. One of the few natural events in the world, which takes place with the precision of a clock alarm clock, is repeated every year. This event is when hundreds of thousands of animals embark on a long migratory journey to follow their food source and breed despite lions, crocodiles and other dangers. This migration is known as the endless march of Africa and includes regions of the Serengeti, Lake Victoria and the Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara is home to rare animal species known as Africa’s big five, such as the elephant, bison, lion, leopard and black rhino. In addition to these, gazelle, jackal, hyena, zebra, giraffe, antelope and many other wild animal species live in the region. In addition, hippos and crocodiles are also frequented near water sources in the area.
Due to all these features, the Masai Mara is one of the most important wildlife centers in the world and is a special place where wildlife can be watched in all its nakedness. For this reason, many visitors come to the region, and Masai Mara, which covers an area of 1500 square kilometers, is limited to a limited number of accommodation facilities and daily safaris. Thus, its natural life cycle is preserved and not disturbed. It is also known as the homeland of the Masai tribe, one of the great tribes of the Masai Mara Kenya, named after the area.
Life and Beliefs of the Masai Tribe
The Masai or Maasai lead a semi-nomadic life and speak the Maa languages belonging to the Nilo-Saharan language family. The Masai population in Tanzania and Kenya is around 900,000, but it is difficult to give an exact number due to their semi-nomadic life. As the indigenous people of the region, the Masai took the name of the Masai Mara region. Maasai society is dominated by patriarchy, and important decisions are usually made by older men. They have a structure in which social life is largely determined by oral laws. There is no formal punishment system and disputes are usually resolved by awarding cattle. In addition, the problems are tried to be solved among themselves through practices such as making peace called ‘amitu’ and apologizing called ‘arop’.
There is only one god in the religion of the Maasai people and the gods are called Engai. Engai is a single god with a dual nature; Engai Narok (Black God) is benevolent, while Engai Nanyokie (Red God) is punishing. Ol Doinyo Lengai, also known as the ‘Mountain of God’, is located in northern Tanzania. People called laibon, who are part of the Maasai religion, undertake tasks such as shamanistic treatment, fortune-telling and divination, as well as success in wars and providing abundant rainfall. Laibon’s reputation depends more on his personal skills than his social standing. Although the Maasai community has mostly embraced Christianity, some also have Muslim faith.
The villages of the Maasai community are called kraal and the people speak the Maa language. They usually consist of thin and tall people and they prefer red colored clothes. They use dung as fuel and sleep in beds made of animal hides and dry grass. They sometimes take small animals to their huts to protect them from the cold or wild animals, which shows the importance they give to animals. While building their huts, they make mortar by drying small pieces of twigs, bushes, cattle dung and cattle urine in the sun. Interestingly, this grout is odorless even though it contains feces. Maasai children receive their education outdoors, not in buildings, and go to school without books or uniforms.
