1974, 52 minutes, color, Granada Television Disappearing World series.
The Masai are cattle herders in the Rift Valley of East Africa. Cattle are the focus of wealth for tribe. The Masai are patrilineal, patriarchal and patrilocal. The video follows the lives of women in this male dominated society. The roles of girls as companions of the warriors, a newly married woman moving to her husband's compound, and elder women at the coming of age ceremony for their sons are featured. Women do not own cattle, but control cattle for their sons who are not yet adults. Women's mythology supports the position of women. The anthropologist for the video is Melissa Llewellyn-Davies.
1. The film shows the real conflict of ideal vs. real in a culture. In
what ways is this apparent?
2. Do women actually have no power at all, or is this evidence of
ideal vs. real? In what ways? How does control of cattle differ from
ownership of cattle? What control do women have over their sexuality?
3.
How does mythology support gender roles?
4. How do you think having a female anthropologist present the film might
have created biases? Compare this to Chagnon's presentation of the Yanomamo
in A Man Called Bee.
5. What is the impact of cattle on Masai life?
For additional information, read Ettagale Blauer's "Mystique of the Masai," article 15 in Anthropology 95/96 Annual Editions, Guilford, Ct: Dushkin Publishing Co. pp. 87-94
ljz, 11.19.95