The MAA community believes that the FOUNDER of their tribe is MAASINTA who was married to LEEYO. Maasinta bore seven children who are actually the ancestors of the great seven CLANS of the whole tribe as follows:

These clans are very important as one of the links since each person of the MAA must come from any of these clans. Two people from the same clan consider each other as a brother or a sister and as such they cannot intermarry.

Another important link is the so called “FORETELLER clan” (clan nr. 6 IL’MAKESEN), known as IL’OIBONOK who conduct all cultural festivals of the whole tribe such as formation of new age groups, foretelling when is suitable period for carrying out any important tasks etc. All the nineteen groups of the MAA follow the guidance of these leaders, whence a liaison is fulfilled within the whole tribe.

The periodical and necessary shifting for adequate facilities for them and their livestock herds permit intermingling with different groups thereby strengthening their unity and cooperation.

Other important links are LANGUAGE, CUSTOMS and CULTURES that are rigid as such all groups are able to know and understand each other.

The strong belief by every MAA that the Almighty God (E-NKAI) handed over to them all the cattle, makes them to have a strong love for their livestock. Any person having no cattle uses all means to own some and once he succeeds, he takes great care of them with the aim of increasing the herd. This unique belief is what prompts sporadic battles between them and other pastoralists, especially those who are not MAA speaking.

GENERAL OUTLOOK - The Maasai territory is divided generally into various sizeable separate geographical sections. The largest section of the MAA is the PURKO in Kenya and the KISONGO in Tanzania. The MAA living within a particular section should belong to any of the seven clans mentioned above. Each section of the MAA society has its own name, dialect and style of building houses and KRAALS. Also, styles and colors of beads work and dress of both men and women differ slightly from section to section.

Ultimately, the link for cooperation and unity is that which leads to honoring and safeguarding customs and cultures of the tribe relating to important issues paramount to their lives.