The Pragmatics and Sociolinguistics of Maasai Greetings

Abstract The speech act of greeting is one of the most frequent linguistic interactional routines performed among the Maasai of Arusha in Tanzania. The structure of their greetings demonstrates a number of culturally specific features of Maasai society, illuminated by analysing data collected through interviews and non-participatory observations of both men and women. The structure of Maasai greetings highlights the importance of maintaining gentility and exercising deference in everyday affairs. Politeness and civility are demonstrated by acknowledging vertical ranking between those who greet each other; sustaining propriety is determined by recognition of social status and by a heightened gender sensitivity which is ever present. Good manners are performed not only by following verbal codes scrupulously, such as tone of voice and word choice; non-verbal signals are just as important in the demonstration of Maasai etiquette; these include the posture adopted when a greeting is initiated, the adjustment of spatial distance and by whom once a greeting has commenced, the manner of shaking hands, as well as the length of time spent greeting.