The Masai are an African tribe whose name is well-known to the Western world. They have resisted changing their way of life, and continue to live their traditional lifestyle as they have for centuries.





Head-shaving is an important part of several different aspects of Masai life. The following links each describe various aspects of head-shaving in Masai culture, and provide other information about these interesting people.

Meeting the Masai


When a young man is ready to become an adult, there is a circumcision ceremony that involved shaving his head.
"A recognizable feature of a Masai woman is her shaved head, and she will remain shaved at all times unless she is pregnant or breast feeding."





Tim and Lara Beth's Kenya Page - Maasai


"Each warrior has his head shaved by his mother while sitting on the same cowhide on which he was circumcised." Head-shaving is an important part of Maasai coming-of-age rituals.





The Maasai - Culture - Family


"The wedding ceremony itself consists chiefly of a blessing, in which the bride wears a special dress and has her head shaved."





"The men sometimes cover their braided hair with a fatty ochre paste and may wear an elaborate head-dress, perhaps of a lion mane or eagle/ostrich feathers, during some ceremonies; the women generally have shaved heads (head-shaving is a significant feature of some rituals, both for men and women)."





The Masai - discussing the reputation and appearance of the Maasai, which has often fascinated westerners.





Maasai Circumcision - Emorata - describes the circumcision ritual of the Maasai. Page has a picture of two Maasai women (with heads shaved).





The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania - more info on the Maasai.