Maasai Market Nairobi

Maasai Market Nairobi : Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, is home to the well-known Maasai market in East Africa (Maasai translates to “stream of cold waters”). The market is a center for regional tourism and demographic convergence, offering a diverse range of African antiquities. Every Tuesday, the market is bustling with people, and the number of people there grows by the minute. The abundance of visitors that flood the market in search of “genuine” African souvenirs to take home benefits the taxi drivers.

People from various African cultural backgrounds in the area, as well as those who have already lost their cultural identity and are known in Maasai as Ilashumpa Orook (black Europeans), frequent the market, which draws an overwhelming amount of business activity centered around cultural artefacts. It’s strange that the market is sometimes referred to as the “Maasai market” given that Kenya is a federation of more than 45 distinct communities. There are a variety of theories as to why the Maasai, one of the most well-known and enduring ethnic groups in East Africa, served as the model for the name of the market.

Since colonialists first came to this region, Maasai pastoralists have stayed away from western temptations and have maintained most, if not all, of their tribal customs. These pastoralists have contributed to the region’s promotion as a Kenya safari destination by maintaining their grounds abundant with a wide variety of plant species and sizable herds of wildlife. This has often been used to provide much-needed cultural identity to East African nations.

Thus, some contend that because the Maasai name has become linked to culture and tourism, the tribe now feels as though their location has been hijacked. It is said that tourists who visit Kenya and do not come across a Maasai have not completely experienced the wildness of the Kenyan safari. Many Maasai reside in Kitengela, a town that gained notoriety the year before when its residents killed lions that were invading their territory and threatening livestock from Nairobi National Park. Though there are usually just ten Maasai traders, on any given Tuesday there are about 400 traders in the Maasai market, which is today mostly unrelated to the Maasai people. There are a ton of beads on the market that mimic their designs but aren’t quite as genuine. Without question, there has been financial gain to select individuals, companies, and the travel industry from appropriating the names of these pastoral peoples, at the expense of the Maasai and their close relatives, the Samburu (Isampurr).

Nairobi’s Maasai Market
This causes the Maasai women in the market to ricochet a lot. We are a proud and independent people. Regretfully, since the colonial era, we have been a persistent target, and currently, [other communities] use our name to advance business. We hate being parasitic, so we don’t prey on other people’s belongings,” says Mashipei Sakau, a 38-year-old beading vendor at the market.

“Look around you, all these masquerades pretending to sell our beadworks cannot utter three words in Maasai, and yet we claim to have a system in place to check some of these inequalities and parasitic robbery,” the woman continues in typical Maasai fashion. The Maasai people of Kenya number only approximately 400,000, a negligible population in comparison to other communities. According to Mopel, this could be the rationale for the ruling class’s decision to permit outsiders to join the market in an effort to please the groups who comprise the majority. The overworked Maasai look about today with the most gloomy of outlooks, seeing the barbarian tendency creeping on all that was meant to be in the best interests of their people. Mopel contends that in a state that honors the equal opportunity principle, this is intolerable.

With the argument that “one of the core responsibilities of a government is to protect its citizens against any form of exploitation,” this intelligent pastoralist wonders why the government does not patent these artifacts and civilizations. Mopel is concerned that the government is squandering the apparent artistic talent and rich cultural heritage of the Maasai people by taking its time enforcing intellectual property rights. She further believes that this lack of action could have far-reaching social and political repercussions down the road and could be harmful to the Kenyan people as a whole.

At this market, traditional traders again blame the media, saying that their failure to succeed with the Maasai is due to the media’s biases.

Maasai in Tanzania Joshua Lemunka charges the media of morally reprehensible injustice for their failure to highlight this blatant mistreatment. He argues that the Maasai have been exposed by the media’s silence, which contrasts sharply with the latter’s position, despite the fact that they should have benefitted from the mere use of their name to exacerbate marginalization. Joshua laments, “The Maasai receive very little, if any, publicity from the media, or coverage that is laced with derogatory innuendos, failing in its fundamental responsibility of exposing insidious exploitation which is a violation of their rights. However, it has played a significant role in overthrowing the previous government and installing the current one.

This emphasizes the necessity of upholding intellectual property rights and defending the rights of indigenous peoples as stated in International Labour Organization Convention 169, article 4.1. This agreement stipulates that, in order to safeguard the institutions, resources, labor, cultures, and environments of the affected peoples, specific measures must be implemented where needed.

Unfortunately, Kenya has not yet ratified this convention. Kenya’s existing policies date back to the colonial era and were designed to marginalize certain communities while favoring others, leaving stark discrepancies in place. This is a direct contradiction to the Narc government’s declared objectives of creating jobs and integrating the local populace in Kenyan tourism.

The Maasai have been subjected to harsh treatment by colonialism ever since they are believed to have been the first indigenous Kenyans to sue the British government in 1913 over the revocation of a treaty they had signed. Nonetheless, it highlights the Maasai people’s dedication to justice and sportsmanship.

One illustration of how the state, which is responsible with preserving indigenous peoples, blatantly exploits them is the problem surrounding the Maasai market. The Maasai Market is the best place to purchase gorgeous, colorful, and reasonably priced mementos to take home. This outdoor market offers a wide variety of goods, such as African pots & pans, clothes, jewelry, shoes, and bags. You can find anything you may possibly want at the Maasai Market.

Safaris in Kenya are among the greatest vacation experiences for those that take them. Tourists can purchase paintings, drawings, souvenirs, clothes, and fabrics with East African motifs. Additionally, there are selections of artisan jewelry and wood carvings.

Bargaining
As with anything in Nairobi, you should be mindful of your language, appearance, and mannerisms since these factors may affect the price you ultimately pay for the items you buy. Some tourists are unable to avoid this because they are not from Africa; instead, they have to haggle and act as though they know what they want. You can buy all the mementos you require in a one sitting, but be prepared to bargain hard. If you want to avoid being noticed, wait until the market is busy. It’s also important to keep in mind that haggling too much can hurt the vendors, especially if they are determined not to reduce the price. In these situations, it’s best to merely pay them the money they want for to keep your business together.

Opening times for the market are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, bear in mind that it makes daily trips across the city.
Tuesday: It’s now in the Westgate Shopping Mall in Westlands, on Kijabe Street, across from the Norfolk Hotel (the upper parking lot).
Wednesday: Capital Center is located on Mombasa Road, close to the airport.
Thursday: The Nakumatt Junction Shopping Mall on Ngong Road
The upper parking lot at Gigiri’s Village Market is open on Friday.
Saturday: The High Court parking lot in the city center (behind the Hilton)
Yaya Center in Hurlingham on Sunday

Items available in the Maasai market
Sneakers
Beaded sandals and other Maasai leather items are sold in the majority of the markets. Take your time evaluating different styles and prices at multiple locations before making a rash purchase. As different vendors may sell different sizes, try them on before you buy.

Jewelry
Most of the markets sell jewelry, especially handmade items from the area. There’s really cool stuff, like brass and beads. Usually, travelers buy beaded bracelets in the national colors of Kenya. Remember that many of the greatest artists conceal their most exquisite works from public display for fear that competitors may pilfer them. It’s acceptable to inquire about any products they may have in addition to those that are on display.

Shukas Shukas are Maasai blankets. It is beneficial to buy these gifts for your friends and family because most of the recipients will find them useful. These are perfect for using on picnics or on cooler days.

Kiondos
You have a choice between the woven carryall bags in their natural and colorfully patterned varieties. They are perfect for holding regular items. Furthermore, the colors are gorgeous and the design is pretty unique.

Art.Nairobi’s
If you want artwork on your walls, invest a small sum of money on it. Visit some of  art galleries, like those at Kuona Trust and the Railway Museum, if you have more money to spend. You can also purchase a variety of wooden carvings, bowls, and baskets to add a touch of Kenyan style to your home.