You are here
How did the Maasai community in Africa cope with the changes brought by colonialism and capitalism?
Answer:
-lock-
The Maasai community in Africa was a pastoral group that lived in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya and Tanzania. They kept large herds of cattle, sheep and goats, and moved over vast areas in search of pastures and water. They had a rich and complex culture, and valued their cattle as a source of food, wealth and social status. However, their way of life was severely affected by the changes brought by colonialism and capitalism. Some of the ways they coped with these changes were:
- They negotiated with the colonial government : The Maasai tried to negotiate with the colonial government to retain some of their grazing lands and access to water sources. They also resisted some of the colonial policies that threatened their livelihood, such as taxation, vaccination, and destocking. They formed associations and alliances with other pastoral groups to voice their grievances and demands.
- They diversified their economy : The Maasai adapted to the changing economic conditions by diversifying their sources of income. Some of them took up cultivation, trade, or wage labour. Others sold milk, meat, hides, or skins to the market. Some also engaged in tourism or wildlife conservation activities.
- They modified their social structure : The Maasai modified their social structure to cope with the social and cultural changes brought by colonialism and capitalism. They redefined their notions of kinship, clan, age, gender, and identity. They also adopted some elements of Christianity, education, and modernity.
-endlock-
