Impact of Tourism on Maasai Society: A Study

Running head: MAASAI SOCIETY
MAASAI SOCIETY
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1MAASAI SOCIETY
Tourism can involve both the purpose of pleasure as well as business and currently, the
impact of globalization on tourism industry have become worldwide. Globalization has made
possible reaching places which earlier were immune. Due to globalization, tourism industry is
certainly having massive growth however, tourism has an impact on society which involves
aspects such as people, society, culture, environment, time, power, authority, gender, identity and
many more. The paper aims to discuss the impact of tourism on maasai society, a Nilotic ethic
group that inhabits southern, central and northern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Maasai tribe can be recognized as the most authentic ethnic tribe of Kenya. The tribe is a
unique as well as popular tribe since it has a long preserved culture. Regardless of western
cultural influences, civilization and education the tribe has held to their traditional way of life
ensuring them a symbol of Kenyan culture (Buigut and Amendah 2016). Residing in both Kenya
and Tanzania, the Maasai people live along the border of the two countries. They are a tribe of
very few population that accounts nearly 0.7 percent of Kenya’s population. The tribe speaks
Maa, a language identified as Nilotic ethnic category from their origin in the Nile region of
North Africa.
Maasai’s distinctive culture with their authentic dressing style and territory have made
the tribe an international attraction. The group has its own unique game parks of Tanzania and
Kenya that have become widely popular making them one of east Africa’s most internationally
famous tourist attraction.
Tourism is the biggest foreign exchange earner in Kenya however, the impacts of tourism
have become severe in the recent years. The Maasai Mara and the areas around are
compromising a significant tourist destination. The tourist destination has the capability of
drawing more than hundred international tourists. Every year tourist come from overseas in order