gether, they are divided into ages because they do not all share the same amount of years. As they reach puberty they are circumcised in groups which separates them in society by what tasks they will perform and what positions they will hold in the tribe. This separation of ages continues linearly to progress the tradition of different groups of men performing different services vital to the group as a whole. This age-grade system is vital to the preservation of the Maasai in both the cultural respect and in regards to the survival of the Maasai.
             Even anthropologists who study the Maasai show an evident appreciation for the age-sets because Maasai historical events are reckoned in relation to the age-set who were warriors at that time (Rigby 1995). An anthropologist states:
             We are fortunate with the Maasai, in having a tribe with an age-group system of regular periodicity, so that it should be possible to get a reasonably accurate dating of an event if it were only known who were the warriors at the time of its occurrence
             This example of Maasai history and tradition relating directly to the age-grade system demonstrates an important reason, although indirect, why the system is important in relation to Maasai culture.
             A prominent principle of the Maasai age-grade system is the notion of enkanyit which can be translated as "respect", "obedience", or "deference" to structural superiors (Talle 1998: 92). This respect is that of junior men towards senior men, or women towards men. This linear structure means the age-sets come into existence when necessary, and continue onwards through time. Membership in an age-set is lifelong, and the successive age-sets are distinguished by specific names, with each set progressing through the grades as a group.
             One aspect of authority and respect in the age-grade system is the "supernatural sanction of the curse" (Talle 1998:92). The elders may infli...