Visit to a Maasai Boma

This is Lukamai. He is the head ascari (guard) at Moshono campus. He has worked for St Judes for over 5 years. Ascari work 12 hour shifts and have 10 days on and ten days off. You find all the security jobs in this part of the world are performed by Maasai as they are natural warriors and are not much scares a Maasai man!

Last weekend Laura and I were lucky enough to go with a small group to visit Lukamai's village called a boma. It was about one and half hours drive through dusty grasslands.

A boma consists of a group of 10 -12 huts housing a closely related family and a night time enclosure for their animals (either goats or cattle). The boma is set within a circular hedge.

As a gift we needed to purchase a goat along the way at the markets and take it on the bus.


This man took his goat home on a pikki pikki (motorbike)


Our guide Felix buying the goat. The Agent is on his mobile to owner negotiating the price.

Goat on bus!


Traditionally, Maasai lived on the meat, milk and blood of their animals.These days, with Lukamai working, their diet is supplemented with grains and vegetables.

There is a patriarch in every boma and in this case it is Lukamai's father. The boma houses Lukamai's mother and father and Lukamai and his brother's wives and children.

A Maasai girl is usually married by12 and a Maasai man can have as many wives as he can afford. Lukamai has two wives and four children (so far!). In the past education for women was non-existent. It is not surprising that there are a lot of Maasai girls at St Judes.

Maasai men and boys tend the herds and Maasai women build the huts, look after the children and cook. Even the smallest boy has a stick for use with the livestock

In the centre of the hut is a pole around which there is a small pit which is used to make a fire for cooking. There are no windows and it is very dark inside. There is no furniture and they wear most of the clothes they own (and of course their amazing beaded jewellery which is worn by both men and women.)

Maasai men drink a fermented maize concoction kept in a dried gourd skin. Laura looked really interested but I got out quick in case they wanted us to have some out of that old tin cup!