CBSE Class 9 Answered

The British wanted to control the people of the Maasai tribe. To achieve this aim, they introduced many measures which affected the social structure of the tribe. The chiefs of different Maasai subgroups were appointed by the British. These chiefs were made responsible for the affairs of the tribe. The British placed several restrictions on the traditional Maasai practice of raiding and warfare.

The chiefs appointed by the colonial government gradually became rich over a period of time as they had regular flow of income which was used by them for purchasing animals, goods and land. They also began to trade in various goods. They managed to survive the effects of wars and droughts.

However, the common poor pastoralists of the Maasai who mainly depended on the livestock suffered because of the colonial restrictions imposed on grazing. During wars and famines, they mostly lost their cattle. Thus, most of them went to towns looking for work. They worked as construction workers and charcoal burners.

The Maasai community, thus, came to be divided between the rich and the poor. The distinction between the elders and young Maasai which existed earlier also began to disappear.