A Msai Warrior watches a hot air balloon float over the Mara plains
Two Msai warriors watch a hot air balloon flight over Masai Mara
The scene at a Msai manyatta south of Lake NatronThe scene at a Msai manyatta, or homestead, as the first rays of sun herald another scorching day in an arid part of northern Tanzania, south of Lake Natron
Laikipiak Msai
Ole Senteu Simel, grandson of the famous Msai Laibon Mbatian (after which the highest peak of Mount Kenya is named), was the most respected laibon of the Msai until his death in 1986
Msai warriors draw water from a deep well. The depth of wells is measured by the number of men required to bring water to the cattle troughs at the top of them
A Msai warrior with his long braids and body coated with red ochre mixed with animal fat. He has put ochre dust round his eyes to enhance his appearance ready for a dance
Detail of a Msai warriors ear ornaments and other beaded or metal adornments. The Msai practice of piercing ears in adolescence and gradually elongating the lobes is gradually dying out
A Msai warrior in full battle cry, his long-bladed spear at the ready
Kenya, Kajiado, lpartimaro. Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers
Two Msai warriors in full regalia. The headdress of the man on the left is made from the mane of a lion while the one on the right is fringed with black ostrich feathers
During an eunoto ceremony when Msai warriors become junior elders, their heads are shaved and they daub themselves with white clay
Msai warriors draw water for livestock from a wellMsai draw water for livestock from a well
Deep Msai wells at Loibor Serrit where cattle paths are cut deep into the soil to allow livestock nearer to the source of water
A young Msai herdsboy controls his familys cattle at the Sanjan River to prevent too many animals watering at the same time
Three Msai girls at Shimu la MunguThree Msai girls sit on the edge of Shimu la Mungu (a volcanic blow hole known as Gods hole ) with the extinct volcano, Kerimasi, in the distance
Msai youth with decorated faceBlack clothing and the intricate white patterns on the face of this Msai youth of the Kisongo section signify his recent circumcision
Msai - old and newOld and new. Dressed traditionally and carrying familiar wooden staff, two young men give hints that the lifestyle of younger Msai generations is changing gradually in Tanzania
A Msai warrior speaks on his mobile phone from the saddle of his camel near Lake Magadi in Kenyas Rift Valley Province. Mobile phones are a popular method of communicating with family
Msai men lead a camel caravan laden with equipment for a fly camp (a small temporary camp) past Lake Magadi. Clouds hang low over the Nguruman Escarpment (a western wall of the Great Rift Valley)
A large gathering of Msai warriors, resplendent with long Ochred braids, listen to instructions from their chiefs and elders during a ceremony
A group of Msai warriors, resplendent with long Ochred braids, chat outside their traditional houses. These squat houses with rounded corners have roofs plastered with a mixture of soil and cow dung
Two Msai women in traditional attire chat to each other
A Msai warrior blows a trumpet fashioned from the horn of a Greater Kudu. The strap is decorated with cowrie shells. Kudu-horn trumpets are only sounded to call men to arms or on ceremonial occasions
A back view of a Msai warrior resplendent with long ochred braids tied in a pigtail. This singular hairstyle sets him apart from other members of his society
One of the most important Msai ceremonies is the eunoto when warriors become junior elders. Early one morning before the cattle are taken to pasture, their mothers shave their long ochred locks
Msai warriors resplendent with long ochred braids relax and wait for the start of a ceremony. Red has always been their preferred colour
Beaded cross-belts worn by a Laikipiak Msai elder
