Maasai tribe performs traditional music, song

James Haggerty, Associate Editor

Members of the Maasai African tribe performed traditional dances and songs for a full audience on Oct. 10 in the Kauffman Theater.

The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. A group of four men and two women performed demonstrations of Maasai culture as part of AACC’s World Music and Dance series.

Songs representing honor and celebration were part of the experience.

“I thought it was very interesting and overall a really good show,” said Bennie Davis, a first-year application development major. “It’s definitely something I would see again.”

A member of the Maasai tribe answered audience questions at the end of the performance.

“They can see and also reach other people in another culture,” said Mark Sungura, a member of the Maasai tribe.

Associate professor of performing arts Chris Ballengee partnered with World Artist Experiences to organize and host the event.

World Artist Experiences founder and CEO Betty McGinnis said the organization uses “arts as a bridge to international understanding.”

World Artist Experiences has groups from all over the world but on average has one group perform every month, in various locations throughout the country.