Abstract:
ABSTRACT: Westernization and abandoning African traditional practices are contributing to many serious
environmental problems in Maasailand, Kenya. These include reduced arable land, soil degradation, forests and
habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, air and water pollution, global warming and change in weather and climate
patterns. This study aimed at establishing the impacts of African traditional environmental conservation practices
among the Maasai people of Narok County, Kenya on environmental conservation. The study adopted a descriptive
design. The target population of this study was 215 community leaders from Maasai community in Narok County.
Using stratified sampling technique, the study used a sample size of 132 respondents being 30% of the number of
community leaders from Maasai community in Narok County. Primary data was collected using open ended and
closed questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. The findings indicated a significant
decrease in Maasai traditional environmental conservation knowledge and education from the old to the young
Maasai elders. Knowledge of prohibitions on environmental factors such as demonization, declaration of taboos, age
and gender restraints as well as use of totems was quite poor to Maasai elders below 45 years. The study indicated
that the elder Maasai elders used various indigenous environmental norms in managing different elements of the
biophysical environment with varying successes. The reduction in use of this knowledge was confirmed by records of
poor agricultural yields, loss of water sources, forest and vegetation covers and unpredictable weather and climate
patterns over the last 40 years. The study concluded that traditional African practices aided in environmental
conservation and should be incorporated in the Kenyan education curriculum.
KEYWORDS: African traditions; Maasai; Environmental conservation practices; Environmental change
