Maasai, Datoga, Hadzabe: who is who
By Innocent, Founder & Lead Guide26 January 20266 min readCulture
1. The Maasai are Nilotic pastoralists, famous for red shukas and…
The Maasai are Nilotic pastoralists, famous for red shukas and cattle herding, and they live across the Ngorongoro highlands and the plains towards Kenya.
2. The Datoga, also pastoralists, are older residents of the Eyasi…
The Datoga, also pastoralists, are older residents of the Eyasi basin. They are known for metalwork, distinctive facial scarification and heavy brass and bead jewellery.
3. The Hadzabe are neither herders nor farmers
The Hadzabe are neither herders nor farmers. They hunt and gather, keep no livestock, and hold no land in the way their neighbours do.
4. The three trade and sometimes compete for water and grazing
The three trade and sometimes compete for water and grazing. Understanding those relationships makes a visit far more interesting than ticking off 'a tribe'.
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Innocent, Founder & Lead Guide
Published 26 January 2026
