This trio of young masais are in transition from boyhood to young warrior status. The ceremony includes circumcision and the youngsters dress in black robes with white makeup for a period of around 6 months as they progress into their new level of Masai culture.
Despite the facial decoration, these lads were outside a national park in Tanzania, not Kenya. Their cultural transition was being aided by tourist dollars.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 8 February 2018
Posted as part of Thursday Special
Travel with Intent 
Great post
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This is so awesome, Debbie 🙂 🙂 I know you go about, but still what an exotic surprise 🙂
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The make-up has changed a bit since my days, but it’s good to hear Eunoto is still going on.
Thank you for those shots again
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They are definitely still hanging onto their traditions – though I think it will change more rapidly now. The children are going to school, at least for a couple of years, but with many progressing to senior schools in the cities. Hopefully a happy mix of tradition and improved health care and education can be achieved.
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I think so. The Maasai have “survived” the English and the Kikuyu rule for many years. They seem to adapt well.
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They are so beautiful! Your picture is the perfect rendition of a lovely moment. Thanks for sharing!
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Tish will love this one. She has hippos 🙂 🙂
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Yes. I liked her hippos. They always look so cute to me. Even though I know they wouldn’t hesitate to kill me.
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They always conjure up that scene from Fantasia 🙂
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Great story… and good point about the tourist dollars!
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That’s a fascinating culture. Who am I to question these ceremonies? I have been to Kenya and know about the tradition but I have never been as close as you.
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It must be quite painful to be circumcised at such an old age …. and I’m sure it’s without anaesthetics as we know them. How did you manage seeing this ceremony?
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Yes, it is still done without anaesthetics – the pain is an important part of their move towards manhood!
I didn’t see the actual ceremony though. Many of them lads stood along tracks through the wilderness and at key tourist points to get attention and money for posing for photos!
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Ok !
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