The average height of the Maasai tribe is about 6 feet 2 inches (187 cm) for men and around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) for women, placing the Maasai among the tallest ethnic groups in the world. Their striking, lean stature is credited mainly to genetics and a traditional protein-rich pastoral diet of milk, meat and cattle blood — not, as the myth goes, to their famous jumping dance.
Maasai height at a glance:
- Maasai men: average ~6 ft 2 in (187 cm); many stand well over 6 ft 5 in (196 cm).
- Maasai women: average ~5 ft 10 in (178 cm).
- For comparison: the global average is ~5 ft 7.5 in (175 cm) for men and ~5 ft 3 in (160 cm) for women.
- Main causes: genetics (~80% of height) plus an early-life protein- and calcium-rich diet and an active, physically demanding lifestyle.
Brief History of the Maasai Tribe
The Maasai are a pastoral tribe, moving from place to place to tend their herds. In 1951, the British government forcefully removed them from the newly established Serengeti National Park and moved them to regions around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Today, these tall people of Tanzania call the Great Lakes area home.
Average Height of the Maasai Tribe
The average height of the Maasai tribe is about 6 feet 2 inches (187 cm) for men, making them some of the tallest people on earth. Maasai women average around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), and it is not unusual to meet Maasai men standing well over 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm).
These measurements are well above global standards: the average height for men worldwide is about 5 feet 7.5 inches (175 cm), while women average around 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm). Only a handful of groups — such as the Dinka and Nuer of South Sudan — rival the Maasai for average height.
Why Are the Maasai So Tall?
When one person is exceptionally tall they become the talk of the room — but an entire tribe of tall people has fascinated scientists for generations. The Maasai’s basketball-player build comes from a blend of genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors.
Genetics
Genetics accounts for roughly 80% of a person’s height, so children of tall parents tend to be tall themselves. Studies show that many East African peoples, including the Maasai of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, are descendants of the Cushites, who were traditionally tall, dark and slender.
Diet
As with many other Tanzanian tribes, cattle sit at the centre of Maasai life — they represent a family’s wealth and provide most of its food. The Maasai’s protein-rich diet of milk, meat and, at times, cattle blood delivers the amino acids, calcium and nutrients that support growth, muscle development and tissue repair — especially during the crucial childhood and adolescent years.
Lifestyle
The Maasai lifestyle is active and physically demanding. As semi-nomadic herders, their daily routine of walking long distances and tending livestock builds strength and stamina, and regular exercise stimulates growth hormones, especially in the young.
Young Maasai warriors (morans) perform the Adumu, or jumping dance, competing to leap the highest. The dance shows off their tall, lean frames — but contrary to popular belief, jumping does not make them taller. Scientists agree the Maasai’s height comes from genetics and early nutrition, not the dance.
Cultural Significance of Height in the Maasai Tribe
Within Maasai culture, height is considered attractive, symbolising strength, resilience and good health. It is woven into their sense of pride and identity, and Maasai women often regard tall men — and those who jump highest in the Adumu — as ideal husband material.
Meet the Maasai on Safari
The Maasai tribe’s remarkable average height comes from a combination of genetics, a protein-rich diet and an active lifestyle. To meet these extraordinary people and explore their homeland, browse our Tanzania safari packages or contact the Tanzania Safaris team.