The social construction of sexuality and HIV/AIDS among the Maasai: a case study of Embooreth Village, Simanjiro District, Tanzania

The main objective of this study was to identify and examine meanings and functions of Maasai sexuality in the context of HIV/AIDS. The study looked at how the Maasai make sense of the epidemic and how this influence their reaction of the same. The study was carried out to comprehend why Maasai continue to abide by sexual practices that are denounced to be risky to HIV infection. Yet, for a long time they have remained relatively uninfected. A total sample of 54 informants were involved in the study. Principal methods for data collection were in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant and non-participant observation. The findings revealed that Maasai adhere strongly to age set organization which determines the institutional order of sexual relations’ norms and values. Pre-marital relations are highly institutionalized such that young girls (ntoyie) and older boys (ilmurran) are given enough room to explore their sexuality before marriage. Extra marital relations and wife sharing is institutionalized through age set partners. Maasai conception and perception of HIV/AIDS have been shaped by the manner in which they organize and define their sexuality creating their own reality fitting in their cultural context. To them HIV/AIDS has cure and can be prevented because they follow traditions with regard to sexual relations. HIV/AIDS, according to them, can only spread among non Maasai popularly referred to as Swahili people because they do not control their sexual practices. For the Maasai, it is not the matter of how many sexual partners one has, but how one follows traditions can prevent him/her from HIV/AIDS. The study recommends that interventions strive to understand cultural dynamics in order to design appropriate interventions in specific areas.