Detailed Summary
The loss of grazing lands among the Maasai people, which began in the late 19th century, is a significant issue outlined in this section. Once stretching across vast areas from northern Kenya to northern Tanzania, Maasailand faced dramatic changes due to colonialism. After European powers established territorial claims in Africa, especially post-1885, the Maasai were gradually pushed out of their traditional lands. By the end of colonial rule, they had lost about 60% of their original lands, relegated to arid regions with unsuitable conditions for pastoralism.
The British colonial government implemented policies favoring the expansion of agriculture, transforming large grazing areas into cultivated fields. Consequently, the pastoralist lifestyle of the Maasai, which previously allowed them to dominate economically and politically over agricultural communities, faced serious challenges. Moreover, prestigious game reserves such as Maasai Mara, Samburu National Park, and Serengeti National Park claimed more traditional grazing lands, further constricting the Maasai to a minimal area, where they could neither hunt nor graze their herds.
Droughts and food shortages have significantly affected the Maasai, particularly around areas like Amboseli National Park, well-known for tourism revenue yet denying locals access to essential resources like water. The creation of artificial borders led to similar constraints on other pastoral communities, as seen with herders in Namibia, who express feelings of imprisonment due to restricted movement.
Ultimately, the deteriorating conditions of grazing lands due to colonial policies and climatic pressures pose profound implications not only on local economies but also threaten the pastoralist way of life.