Maasai Socio-Cultural Ethnography

Description

Written from a primary understanding of the Maasai culture and practice, other scholar’s critiques and cultural elder’s interrogation, this book is in compliance with a Maasai saying Mikiaar eitu kirorie – understand me before you criticize. It will enable the reader understand, among others, the historical background, settlement, naming, cultural beliefs and practices, rites of passage and indigenous knowledge of the Maasai. The author delves into current arguments (Enkilepunoto Endikirr, Oltatuani, Iloibonok, Eishoi e Mpatiany), Maasai wars and alliances, leadership structures, Maasai heroes in cultural, spiritual, political and academic history, and emerging trends in Maasailand(s). This work will be useful to future generations keen on studying cultural heritage and will also serve as a reference point for scholars. The book provokes thinking for more cultural writers to identify gaps and carry out research on the fallen Heroes of East Africa, the Maasai. It targets scholars and learning institutions for historical documentation and learning.

This text offers a rich and valuable documentation of the Maasai worldview, practices and experiences. It is a gem not only for the Maa community but for the ordinary reader and scholars of various disciplines such as Oral Literature, Anthropology, Sociology, Religion, Philosophy and History [Dr. J. B. Okong’o; Moi University, Kenya].

I highly recommend ‘The Maasai Socio-Cultural Ethnography’ to all those who are interested with Maasai culture and History and more so to the posterity of the Maasai community [Lemomo ole Kulet; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya].

Dr. Daniel Nchorira Naikuni holds a PhD in Human Resource Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Master of Philosophy in Human Resource Development from Moi University, Bachelor of Commerce – Finance Major – from Kabarak University and a Higher National Diploma in Human Resource – KNEC. A lecturer at Maasai Mara University’s School of Business and Economics, he also taught part-time classes at Nazarene University, Bomet University College and JKUAT. With several academic research publications in Management Refereed Journals, he authored an online selling book on Recruitment and Selection Practice. Naikuni also worked at the University of Rwanda as a Visiting Lecturer and External Examiner through Inter- Universities Council of East Africa. He served at donor funded projects in Narok County on human and land rights, health awareness, environmental conservation and livelihood projects. The former Transmara Sugar Company Finance Officer is a father of two and a husband to one loving wife. He is a socio-cultural activist and a cancer survivor.