Influence of indeginous learning experiences related to intiation rites on school attendance in maasai society of Kenya

Abstract

In Maasai society of Kenya, adolescent children are subjected to initiation rites which include surgical operation of the genitals followed by a period of seclusion and learning experiences on the responsibilities and obligations of adulthood. This study examined those learning experiences and attempted to explain why they make Maasai school children to detest schooling. The study was conducted in designated research sites: Olokurto in north Narok District, Narok Town- Lemek in central Narok and Morijo in southern Narok. Its data was collected using document analysis, respondent interviews and focus group discussions. The study established that learning experiences associated with initiation rites in Maasai society prepared adolescent children to become full members of their society. During this stage in life, some of the lessons obtained included: responsibility, citizenship, patriotism, abandonment of children habits, comradeship and family life, among others. The study further established that these lessons make Maasai initiates who were already enrolled in school to lose interest in school. The study concluded that subject elements of Maasai people's learning experiences associated with initiation rites could be identified and that they invariably influenced adolescent Maasai children to detest schooling.