Why some traditional Maasai men can’t care for their infants
In the homesteads of polygamous Maasai families, traditional huts are set in a semi-circle.
Men usually have their corner in the homestead while women and their children mingle freely in a different section.
Traditionally, Maasai men rarely mingle with children below the age of three, affecting their brain development and early learning, which is necessary at such a tender age.
In Kajiado West sub-county, a majority of Maasai men do not actively participate in young children's care, research by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) shows.
More than 90 percent of men do not spend time with their young children, telling them stories or playing with them, which is a major factor in child development.
Men are said to also shun other children-stimulating activities.
Traditionally, a Maasai man was not allowed to bathe his children or teach them basic life procedures like walking, eating and talking.
"Men were not required to develop a close attachment with their young children,” offered Mr Ezekiel Ntiyaani.
Primary caregivers
“A man who was too attached to his family was (seen as) ineffective when the community was at war or he was required to relocate animals in search of pasture. It is hard for such men to leave their family for months."
Maasai women said the role of taking care of little children has been a daunting task for years as men sat on the periphery.
"Most of our husbands are polygamous. It has been the responsibility of a woman to take care of her children,” said Joyce Marikua, a 41-year-old mother of nine in Kajiado West.
“It is a hectic lifestyle considering that most of us do not embrace family planning. We give birth almost annually."
The childcare responsibility is bestowed on Maasai women, who wake up by dawn to milk animals, do other domestic chores and spend the day fetching water or firewood when they are not trekking long distances to the market with their children on their backs, denying them play time.
Mothers remain the primary caregivers. As a result, about 73 percent of children are left unattended for hours.
"Most Maasai men stay away from childcare. They are not involved in the early learning process of their children,” said Dr Teresa Muoma, a senior lecturer at Kenyatta University’s Department of Early Childhood Studies.
Embracing childcare
“Maasai women toil around with their children on their backs unless they are assisted by female grandparents.”
Dr Muoma, the founder of the Early Childhood Development Network, said some children are left in the care of their grandmothers, as nomadic and pastoral communities lead communal lives. This does not contribute adequately to the child’s growth.
It has been noted children below the age of three accompany their older siblings to schools where free porridge is served.
This gives mothers a chance to do their daily domestic chores.
"We noted a trend where children who have not attained the age to join school accompany their young siblings to schools, especially where free porridge is provided. Female parents support the trend to create time for domestic chores. It's morally wrong for the growth of a child," she added.
But some men, especially younger ones, are slowly embracing childcare as a shared responsibility explaining that they have realised its benefits on children’s development.
"We grew up knowing the responsibility of a man is to provide for his family and not childcare. My father could not even help to remove mucus from his child's nose but that is changing. We are slowly helping our wives in caregiving," said Jeremiah Kipelian, a father of two in Maili 46 village.
Traditional practices
Men who take their children to hospitals or accompany their wives to hospitals with sick children are given priority to encourage more of them to emulate the habit.
APHCR is now urging more Maasai men to help in childcare and the Kajiado County government to set up play areas in markets for the wholesome growth of children below three years.
"We intend to have a childcare model that can support children in pastoralist communities to be able to grow. Let the community support the children through their traditional ways to be able to get holistic growth beyond body and mind," said Moris Mutisya, a research scientist.
The county is working on a bill that would ensure the building of children’s facilities across the county, said county early childhood development director John Sipitiet.
"We are aware of the problem. The devolved unit is moving in earnest to construct children’s facilities in public places, including markets and shopping centres," he said.
Little is known about nomadic pastoralists’ traditional practices in terms of support for early childhood learning, especially among children aged up to 36 months.
Nomadic communities, making up 14 percent of Kenya’s population, grapple with high malnutrition among children below 10 years old. BY DAILY NATION
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