Early Forms of government among the Maasai.
The Maasai belong to the Nilotes.
They live in the plains where they can get enough pasture for their animals
The Maasai were ruled by a council of elders.
The community had age sets and each age set had its time of leadership.
Moran was the most active age set.
The Olaiguani was the title of the military captain.
The spiritual leader of the Maasai was known as Oloibon.
Lenana was a famous Oloibon in their social life.
The maasai worshipped a supreme being called Enkai. Enkai was the source of life and punished bad people.
The Laibon prayed to God on behalf of other people in the community.
There was a council of elders that settled disputes amongst the Maasai.
The Morans defended the community against external attacks. They also raided other communities to get cattle.
Early Forms of government among the Maasai.
The Ameru are Bantu speakers who live around Mt. Kenya.
The traditional system of Ameru was based on the age set system.
here were to sets of rulers: the Kiruka and the Ntiba. Each of these age sets was headed by a council of elders and ruled at a particular time before handing over to the other.
The handing over of the ceremony was marked by a ceremony called Ntuiko.
The generation in power had a council of elders called the Njuri Ncheke. This council was made up elderly men who were selected because of their ability and wisdom.
They dealt with murder, land issues, witchcraft and theft.
They also made laws in the community.
They settled disputes, maintained law and order, presided over religious matters, protected the environment and advised on the best economic activity for the community.
Law breakers were punished by a council of elders called Nkomango.
Matters that were difficult to handle were dealt with by selected members of Njuri Ncheke called Njuri Impeere.
They had a religious leader called Mugwe. He blessed major events like sacrifices to ancestors, declared curses on matters of public interest, declared things taboo and prohibited, and conducted rites when age sets were being promoted
Differences and similarities between the Maasai and the Ameru
Similarities | Differences |
In both communities there was a council of elders who settled disputes | The Maasai had a prophet and a medicine man while the Ameru did not |
In both communities leadership was in form of age sets | The Maasai were led by Oloibon while the Ameru were led by a council of elders |
In both communities, Law and order was maintained by the elders | The Maasai leadership was hereditary while the Ameru was not. |
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