From the time that a Maasai child is born, they belong to an age-set. An age-set is a group of Maasai people that are close in age. The age range in these groups is three to five years. Young boys spend almost all their time with their age-set. They work and play together and they share everything. Young girls spend most of the day helping their mothers, but they still have an age-set. When girls get married, they are recognized by their husband’s age-set.
The Maasai have many restrictions about relationships with other people. For example, a daughter cannot watch her father eat. Also, the young warriors must listen to the elders’ advice.
Even though everybody is considered equal within their age-set, the Maasai are still a patriarchal society. Men normally make decisions for the family. Even so, warriors respect their mothers and remain close to them
AMSO Tanzania 