Maasai

"Named for the language they speak--Maa, a distinct but unwritten African tongue--the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania still live much as they did thousands of years ago, herding cattle, sheep, and goats and existing in harmony with their peaceful environment in and around the Great Rift Valley. Tall, proud, aristocratic in bearing and manner, these handsome people have made their way into the twentieth century with their ancient customs and the structure of their society preserved to an unusual extent. For the first time ever, this book--a kind of autobiography, since it is written by a Maasai--documents their living story. It recounts the ancient legends, reveals the songs and prayers, and vividly describes the stages of life for a Maasai: childhood, initiation, warrior rank, and finally elderhood."--Publisher's description.