While traditional economies are not as common today, they were very common in the past. Today, cultures with traditional economies can be found in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and South America.

The Maasai people, located in Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, are a culture with a traditional economy. Once nomadic herders and warriors, the Maasai have become a more settled culture that has learned to farm the deserts and scrublands of the region.

Cattle are the most important resource of the Maasai. Cattle are used for food, clothing, and trade. The wealth of each man is determined by how many cattle he owns. In the image below, a Maasai man watches the animals grazing in the distance.

Based upon what you know about traditional economies so far, why is this Maasai herder allowing the cattle to graze? Why do you believe the herder carries a spear during the grazing?

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The cattle graze so they become fatter to provide food for the family or to use as currency. The spear is to protect the livestock from any wild predators.

Look at the two images below of the Maasai people at work. What do the images reflect about the roles of men and women in the Maasai culture? Males and females have very distinct roles within the culture. Click on each image to learn more.

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Maasai women and girls are responsible for milking cattle and cooking food for the family. Women and girls also participate in maintaining the homes while the men and boys are away. The women pictured here are repairing a hut that was built by the men.

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Maasai men and boys are primarily responsible for providing food and shelter for the families. Since cattle are the main resource for the families, boys are taught early to graze the animals. Men build the homes and enclosures to protect the cattle from lions.

Cattle are one of the most important possessions of the Maasai. The Maasai believe that all cattle were given to them by the gods. The Massai use cattle as trade, as well as food and clothing. The modernization of Africa has become a challenge for the Maasai. The building of highways and the increase in traffic makes it hard for the Maasai to graze the cattle. Modernization has also caused and increase in population, which impacts where the Maasai can move.

It is important to note that some of the Maasai have started to move away from the traditional economic activities. Some groups are moving from subsistence agriculture to selling milk and milk products, owning restaurants, and selling traditional herbs and medicines. Some have become employed in neighboring regions.

In the next section, you will examine a culture that manages to maintain its traditional culture in a changing world.