Long ago, there were no cattle in the Maasai tribe. One day, God called Maasinta, the first Maasai and asked him to make a large enclosed area and then inform him. Maasinta went and made an enclosed area as instructed, and then went back to inform God. Next, God asked him to stand against the outside wall of the house. God would give him cattle. At the same time, God warned him that he need not be surprised and should keep silent if he saw or heard something. The next morning, Maasinta woke up and stood against the outside wall of the house to wait for what was to be given to him. Maasinta soon heard the sound of thunder and God released a long leather rein from heaven to earth. The cattle descended down this rein into the enclosed area. The earth shook so forcefully that his house almost fell over. Maasinta was afraid, but kept silent as was warned by God.
The Curse
The cattle kept descending. Suddenly, Dorobo, who was a house-mate of Maasinta, woke up from his sleep and went outside. He was so shocked to see the cattle that he said, “Ayieyieyie!” (an exclamation of utter shock.) As soon as he uttered this, God took back the rein and the cattle stopped descending. God thought that Maasinta had spoken these words, so he said to him, “I guess these cattle are enough for you. I will never give you the cattle again, so you better take care of them properly.” This is the reason why the people of Maasai love cattle very much. At the same time, Maasinta was very upset with Dorobo for having cut God’s rein. He cursed Dorobo saying, “May you always remain poor! You and your descendants shall always remain my servants. If you taste the milk of my cattle, it would become poison for you.” That is why the Dorobos still live in the forest and they are never given milk.
