The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, religion is woven into their traditional beliefs, relationships with land and livestock.

Today, one million Maasai live across northern Tanzania and southern Kenya.

In Maasai culture, nature and its elements are important facets of their religion.^{[1] [2]}

Ngai or Enkai's name is synonymous to "rain".^[3]

In Maasai religion, the Laibon (plural: Laiboni) intercedes between the world of the living and the Creator. They are the Maasai's high priests and diviners. In addition to organizing and presiding over religious ceremonies—including sacrifice and libation, they also heal the living, physically and spiritually.^[4]

The Maasai believe in one God, Engai (Enkai). Engai is the androgynous Supreme Creator, possessing both masculine and feminine principles.^[2] Engai is the creator of all things. The sky, the earth, people, animals, and cattle.

The Maasai refer to Ngai's primordial dwelling as "Ol Doinyo Lengai" which means "The Mountain of God", which they believe is in Northern Tanzania.^[2]

The Maasai culture speak two manifestations of Engai^[5]

Engai Narok (Black Engai) – Associated with rain clouds, fertility, and blessing.^[6]

Engai Na-nyokie (Red Engai) – Associated with drought, hardship, and lightning.^[7]

These are not two separate gods, but two expressions of one divine power. ^[8]

A well-known story tells of a time of great famine. The people and their cattle were suffering from lack of water. Black Engai, moved with compassion, urged that rain be sent to earth. Red Engai was reluctant, believing people had become careless and spoiled. After much pleading, rain was released, and it fell for many days.^[9]

When Red Engai insisted the rain stop, Black Engai argued that the land was still dry and the people still weak. Their disagreement continued. In some tellings, thunder is said to be the sound of Red Engai’s anger, while gentler rain is the blessing of Black Engai protecting the people.^[10]

Traditional healing is a huge part of Maasai culture, combining knowledge of medicinal plants with spiritual guidance. The Maasai rely on Olaiboni, serve as prophets, spiritual leaders, and healers.^[11]

Women from Maasai play a huge role in society and culture. They manage many things such as: Preparing meals, fetching water, maintaining home, milking cattle, caring for livestock, and raising their children. Marriage is key for a women's life. Maasai women craft nearly all traditional beadwork, with each piece conveying information about age, marital status, social belonging, and cultural values. Women uses their skills in clothing, decoration, and household management, they play a huge role in preserving and transmitting Maasai identity. Women also strengthen community bonds by supporting co-wives and fostering cooperation within family and clan structures.^[12]

• Laibon Lenana, namesake of Lenana School
• Mbatian, Maasai Laibon (died 1890)

• Harold Scheub, A Dictionary of African Mythology, The Mythmaker as Storyteller Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000, ISBN 0-19-512456-1
• Naomi Kipury, Oral Literature of the Maasai (1983: East African Educational Publishers Ltd., PO Box 45314 Nairobi, Kenya
• Spencer, Paul, (2003), "Providence and the cosmology of misfortune" and "Loonkidongi diviners and Prophets", in Spencer, P, Time, Space, and the Unknown: Maasai configurations of power and providence, Routledge, London (pp. 67–123).