Learn the Maa Language with the Maasai
The Maasai people from Arusha, Tanzania teach us how to speak their beautiful language.
Playing field (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
What is Maa Language?
'Maa' is an Eastern Nilotic language spoken in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania by the Maasai community. In fact, the name Maasai means people who speak Maa language .
Learnings for the children (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
We asked the young members of the community to teach us some words in their language and here's what they taught us!
Ormarrei (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
1. Ormarrei
Ormarrei
means Family in Maa language.
Engareh (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
2. Engareh
Engareh
means water, a precious resource for the community, for which they often have to walk long hours to procure for their use.
Anyorr (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
3. Anyorr
Love is spelled Anyorr
in the Maa language. Many Maasai believe that love and discipline are essential in a community.
Enkisoma (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
4. Enkisoma
Enkisoma
means Education, which has now become an essential and crucial focus for the young generation of the Maasai community.
Supay (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
5. Supay
If you want to ask someone "how are you?" say Supay.
Emaayann (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
6. Emaayann
The children seek Emaayann meaning blessings from their elders.
Keeya embaa (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
7. Keeya embaa
It means 'How were things yesterday?' Maybe you can use this phrase to check up on your loved ones!
Respect (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
8. Enganit
Enganit means 'Respect'.
The culture of respecting and looking up to their elders is deeply inbred in the younger generation of the Maasai community.
Ashey (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
9. Ashey
Ashey
means 'Thank you'. Try this when the next time you want to express gratitude to someone!
Seriena (2021) by Vibhor Yadav Project FUEL
10. Seriena
Seriena
means 'Goodbye'. And with this, the Maasai bid you goodbye!
Project FUEL
would like to thank the Maasai community in the Losimingori village of Arusha, Tanzania for opening their hearts and home to this research.
This exhibit is part of the Wise Wall Project
, an initiative of Project FUEL, to document, design, and strengthen the wisdom of rural communities and marginalized villages using art and community outreach programs. In the third edition of this project, we collaborated with the Maasai, in Arusha, Tanzania, to build an on-ground community centre for the people and bring an exclusive insight into the life, lifestyle, and learnings of this inspiring community.
Photography: Vibhor Yadav
, Siddharth Govindan
Wall Murals: Poornima Sukumar
Canvas Art: Advithi Emmi
Cultural Consultant and Translators: Kaay Ndoika Lengima, Elisha Olchakai Kirumui and Lemali Ndoika
Research, Interviews and Curation: Project FUEL
Project Partners:
Vijana Inspiring Foundation
, Vikram Solar Ltd
., Lions Club of Dar es Salaam
and Arusha
, Google Arts & Culture
