THE MOST SAD ETYMOLOGY OF LONG HAIR OF MAASAI WARRIORS

 

A semi-nomadic Nilotic group believed to originate from Egypt, the Maasai are one of the youngest ethnic groups in Tanzania, having followed the Nile River down through Kenya before reaching Tanzania roughly just 300 years ago.

Women in ancient Egypt were revered as superior and more sacred than men, being considered the source of life and wisdom. It was believed that a man who attained great knowledge, spirituality, and power could earn the right to wear a long-haired wig, which symbolized his attainment of a level equal to that of a woman. The woman was seen as a source of strength and protection for her man, and it is a saying that still circulates today that behind every successful man is a strong woman supporting him.

In many indigenous cultures, long hair is seen as a symbol of spiritual strength and connection to the earth. It is believed to hold the power of the ancestors and is often braided or adorned with feathers or beads. In Hinduism, long hair is seen as a symbol of spiritual devotion and detachment from the material world.

Old Indians were saying that hair represents strength and connection to our ancestors. “If you cut your hair, your soul and your spirit bleeds,” he said. "Your hair contains your memories and things that you grew up with…that your matriarch, your mom, and your aunties put into your hair."

In the Rastafarian faith, long dreads to meant to mirror the mane of their leader — the lion — as physical proof of their devotion. For Hindus and Buddhists, long hair can represent beauty and (perhaps dangerous) sexuality — and cutting or shaving it off is surrendering worldly gifts to fully concentrate on the eternal.

Hair symbolizes physical strength and virility; the virtues and properties of a person are said to be concentrated in his hair and nails. It is a symbol of instinct, of female seduction and physical attraction. In many tribes, it is believed that a person's long hair represents a strong cultural identity. This strong cultural identity promotes self-esteem, self-respect, a sense of belonging, and a healthy sense of pride. 

In the process of preserving their culture, the Maasai have embraced a system that denies women basic human rights: the right to an education, the right to control her body, the right to decide by her own about important things in her life, the right to choose whom and when to marry, the right to protect own health and the right to express an opinion or feeling. 

And this has a deep sense and it's directly connected with the reason why Maasai women can't wear long hair and they always have to shave their heads completely. It looks like only a tradition but each tradition has the roots. In historical way it had to show inferior position of a Maasai women among men in the visible way. You can see the shaved heads of Maasai women from a big distance. An ancient proof that they are not equal to the men and everyone needs to see it easily. 

Maasai women are allowed to grow their hair only within the limited time of three months after delivering a child. After this time they need to shave their hair again until next baby will be born again. Only very short time after birth of child the fresh mother can enjoy attention and respect and also it's the only time when she doesn't shave her head. Young brides believe that if they shave their heads, they will get a good husband. Also all the children need to have shaved heads - as they have also inferior position in the tribe. But the case is different when it comes to men. Grooms  are desired only if they have long and thick hair, the elaborate hairstyles had a prominent role as signifiers of status and prestige. Only Maasai warriors were permitted to wear their hair long, which symbolized masculinity, strength and courage. 

However, the sad reality appears, that Maasai men have actually enslaved their true source of power - their women - and they stolen their energy. But it had its own consequences. By doing it they have become feminine themselves, yet left without genuine power, their own hair often doesn't even grow well and fast anymore and they have to put cotton yarn to their heads. 

And what is most pathetic, they now desperately search for strong women from the outside world to give them power which they have lost already and which now they are able to see only in money. Their own karma, they were building for centuries caught them finally and today in the world of money - without white women they are completely powerless and weak. Exactly in the same way as powerless and weak are women in tribe of Maasais shaving their head to baldness. 

Long artificial cotton hair of Morrans is not giving them any real power anymore. The original roles of warriors has  disappeared along with the power historically represented by the long hair of the proud strong Maasai men from the distant past who will stay only in memories of those who still remember them.