Niñez y adolescencia

In this study, the ancestors, are the dead members of the community who have lived exemplary lives. Through death, they are initiated into a life of sanctity. The living remember them and ask for their intercession to God whenever they have difficulties in life.

In order to affirm Maasai belief in ancestors, one of the respondents stated: “We normally say, “my grandfather, pray for us” and children are named after the

ancestors. In an FGD, a participant narrated how she was named after her aunt who was very generous. She saw herself as resembling that aunt and had taken on the qualities of that aunt especially that of being generous. Her generosity was illustrated by the number of needy children she was paying school fees for in various institutions.

As illustrated in Table 11 below, 125/163 (77%), respondents confirmed belief in ancestors. Only 19/163 (12%), did not believe in ancestors. The influence of Christianity was only expressed by two respondents who sought to clarify that the belief in ancestors was negated by Christians. However, it can be concluded that the two responses were confirming widespread belief in ancestors. This belief will be further confirmed in Section 4.4 on nominal reincarnation when several respondents confirm that naming is about remembering an ancestor and that the child named resembled the ancestor named.

Table 11 below has a list of responses on the belief in ancestors: Table 11: Belief in Ancestors (N=163)

Affirmation of belief in Ancestors 125 76% Negation of belief in ancestors 19 12% Some Christians do not believe in ancestors 2 1.5%

Sometimes 1 1%

Don’t know 2 1.5%

No Response 14 8%

Total Respondents 163 100%

Responses to the question on who the ancestors are generated four main categories of ancestors 1) Foreparents 2) Famous founders or leaders of the Maasai community, known by name 3) Age-sets and 4) The living dead. Ancestors were described by respondents as respected elders or old men who had died before the respondents were

born. They were the forefathers or great great grand parents referred to as loo papa while the age-sets are referred to as ilmekuri or ng’akwi according to some of the respondents. The ancestors constitute the cause of the existence of the Maasai. Table 12 below displays the various Maasai age-sets from around 1791 till 1990:

Galaty (1993, 74) lists the age-sets since 1791 as follows: Table 12: Age Sets Listed by Galaty

Tiyioki c. 1791-1811 Merishari c. 1806-1826 Kidotu c. 1821-1841 Tuati I c. 1836-1871 Nyangusi I c. 1851-1871 Laimer c. 1866-1886 Talala 1881-1905 Tuati II 1896-1917 Tareto 1911-1929 Terito 1926-1948 Nyangusi II 1942-1959 Iseuri 1955-1974 Kitoip 1967- Kipali/manjeshi 1983-/1990-

Based on John L. Berntsen (1979a). Dates from 1881 are known; dates prior to that are calculated from average durations, as explained therein. While Bertsen employs a range of plus or minus 5 for such reconstructed dates we indicate their tentative nature by ‘c.’ (eds.)

The ancestors are described as spirits. They cannot be seen by the community. Nevertheless, they play different roles in the community. The ancestors are respected by members of the community who remember them by naming children after them and doing memorials for them.

Maasai belief in the theme of ancestors is further emphasised by the results of the question seeking to establish who the ancestors are. The responses of 68/163 (42%) respondents describe the ancestors as respected old men and elders who have died

before the respondent is born. The respondents further qualify the description by stating that ancestors are the founders of the family or clan.

Table 13 below has a list of responses seeking to explain who the ancestors are: Table 13: Who are the Ancestors? (R=163)

The forefathers (great great grand parents, loo papa).

 Respected, old men and elders who died before we were born. 68 The dead who were the leaders: e.g. Oloibon, Laibons, Mbatiany, Senteu, Olonana

 Famous men who died long ago, Heroes

 Founders of the family or clan: e.g., enkaiooilterit, Naitero-enkop (founder of Maasai), Diviners 36

Italala and Lkololik (our father’s age group and grand fathers age group),

 NyangusiiiItalala, the great generations and their key leaders, nkakuyia. 25

The living dead 10

People who are consulted though not necessarily known 1

The ones who give wealth and traditional programmes since long ago 1

The dead who are not remembered 1

They don’t exist 1

The unborn Maasai 1

When a person dies he-she is forgotten this is because our Maasai community don’t believe in ancestors 1 When somebody dies at night he/she is buried the same day 1

No Response 17

TOTAL 163

The respondents affirmed that the ancestors are with us even though we cannot see them. They visit, advice, console and guide. They are present in the day-to-day activities of Maasai community as respected intercessors, role models and consultants on cultural issues.

The findings of this study show, as displayed on Table 14, that the ancestors are living and visit people to advice, console and guide even though they cannot be seen. They are present in day-to-day activities of the Maasai overseeing what is done. However, they are also in communion with the Supreme Being and intercede for family, clan and society, who in turn consult them because they are role models and the cause of their being. Since the ancestors are the cause of being and models of the Maasai, they are respected. The respect is shown through memorials, naming and libation in their honour.

Table 14: What the Ancestors do

They are living and visit people (families/clan) for advice, consolation and guidance

We believe they are with us but we cannot see them Believed to be significant in day to day activities Believed to be seeing what we do from afar

Living, enjoying fortune with supreme being and can intercede for the family/clan/society

They are usually consulted on traditional cultural issues They do makumbusho(memorial) for the ancestors Respected

They are recognised by naming children after them and pouring libation These are intercessors and role models

They are the cause of our existence