Masai, Tanzania: Where brides get cattle as dowry By Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad, who was in Tanzania

Tanzania have a unique culture. They have graduated from killing lions for stardom to owning cattle from childhood to adulthood. As a mark of opulence and respect, some of their men have up to 12 wives, a lot of children and herds of cattle. The people, who are mostly nomads, occupy Mgao, which is under the Mwtara District. And they cherish their culture, one's level of education notwithstanding.
Speaking on Masai culture, Akro Tuke said that when a man is blessed with a new- born baby, his father will dedicate a cow to him. As he grows up he will learn to rear the family's cattle, including his most precious gift - his cow. He added that a Masai person cannot afford to be lazy because if he is, he will neither have friends nor command respect and recognition in his community. Worse still, he will not be able to get married, even to the ugliest lady.
Tuke further said an average Masai believes that the culture they inherited from their forefathers should not be tampered with, no matter the level of modernity.
In the olden days, to be seen as a warrior who would command everybody's respect, one was expected to kill a lion. But as a result of modernity, the people now hunt little animals for food and to keep up their tradition and culture. Tuke said that for the sake of tourism as demanded by government, they have stopped hunting lions. He said tourism was a means of revenue generation for the country; hence it is now a crime to kill a lion in Tanzania. However, according to him, if a lion kills a Masai's cow, the law allows him to take revenge and possibly kill it. But he is required to inform security agents, especially the police. He explained that government gave such consideration because every Masai person, no matter how highly or lowly placed in the society, has herds of cattle, sheep and goats.
Daily Trust on Sunday observed that the people of Masai share similarities with the nomadic Fulani in Nigeria. They are known to move about with clubs/sticks, with daggers strapped to their waists. And they are mostly rural dwellers. Tuke, however, said he had never heard about the Fulani.
Asked why he wore a traditional red plain cloth and a pair of trousers, Tuke, who is light in complexion and of average height, retorted that no Masai man, whether skilled, unskilled or seasonal labourer, would go home in foreign attire after the day's work. According to him, even the few who are well educated and work in Dar Ess Salam, Arusha, or even abroad and wear suits to work, would put on traditional cloths when going home.
Also speaking to our reporter through Tuke who served as an interpreter, at least 10 Masai youths said that majority of the people didn't embrace western education until 15 years ago. Tuke was among the few who went to school, but many others preferred rural life where they hunt and herd animals.
They further said that because of their non acceptance of foreign culture, they hardly allow people from other tribes like the Swahili to stay in their community.
It was learnt that in Masai, cattle are used as dowry. A Swahili (lecturer) who spoke with Sunday Trust on Sunday, said that an ugly lady gets 16 cattle as dowry while a very beautiful one gets as many as 50 or more, depending on request and number of suitors.
It was further learnt that the dowry must be given to the bride's father before she reaches the age of puberty. But she would not be taken to the bridegroom until she is mature enough.
Some of the people who spoke to our reporter revealed that, as a result of modernity and their bravery, most Masai youths are employed as guards in urban areas. They added that such jobs are accepted to enable them buy cattle in preparation for marriage.
It was observed that despite their rural lifestyle, just like the nomadic Fulani in Nigeria, majority of the Masai youth in Tanzania go about with mobile phones, which they use in communicating with their people in other parts of the country.
It was also gathered that a man is not allowed to marry without fulfilling the necessary rites, no matter his age. He is also expected to work hard, plan well and gather the required number of cattle for dowry. However, if a potential suitor cannot afford the number of cattle required as dowry, his family members and friends can assist him to complete the marital rite.
Asked if they experienced cattle rustling, Tuke said a victim would mobilise his friends, family and neighbours to go after any rustler.
He said that Masai people now send their children and wards to formal school, even as they intermarry with the Swahili.
Finally, Tuke explained that a bride is not allowed to go with any of the cattle paid as dowry. She only enjoys the fun and paraphernalia of marriage.
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