What is the meaning of Laibon?

A shamanistic seer and healer
Noun. laibon (plural laibons) A shamanistic seer and healer among the Maasai people.

What is the culture of the Maasai?

Maasai culture is centred around the belief that God (called Engai, or Enkai, in the tribe’s Maa language) created cattle especially for them, and they are the custodians of all the world’s cattle. For Maasai, life revolves around amassing and grazing large herds of cows (and to a lesser extent, goats).

Who is Laibon in Maasai society?

Mbatian the Greatest Spiritual Leader of the Maasai For around 200 years the Maasai were ruled by spiritual leaders known as Iloibono or Laibons. Though not much is known about the origin of their ritual power it is believed that it was passed on between generations of the ole Supeet family dynasty.

How old is the Maasai culture?

According to their oral history, the Maasai originated from the lower Nile valley north of Lake Turkana (Northwest Kenya) and began migrating south around the 15th century. They arrived to a long land mass, stretching from what is now northern Kenya to central Tanzania between the 17th and late 18th century.

What is unique about Maasai?

They are fearless: The Maasai have always been calm and courageous. They were formerly hunters, with their young men trained to hunt for food and to protect their families. In fact, until recently, a Maasai boy would only be crowned a warrior if they killed a lion single-handedly using a spear.

What was the main work of the Morans?

…men are traditionally known as morans. During this life stage they live in isolation in the bush, learning tribal customs and developing strength, courage, and endurance—traits for which Maasai warriors are noted throughout the world.

What is a Laibon?

In actuality, the term “Laibon” is the name African Kindred give to themselves. The Laibon which the European Kindred knew were actually just one of the many Legacies of African Kindred.

Are Laibon the same as Kuei-jin?

Unlike the Asian Kuei-jin, Laibon are not a separate supernatural race, but the Laibon are in many ways quite different from “regular” kindred. They ascribe their origins to African gods and legends, unlike the Kindred’s Noddist version.

What is the Maasai Laibon?

…the spiritual direction of the laibon (“medicine man”). Although not particularly numerous, the Maasai were able to dominate a considerable region because the Bantu-speaking inhabitants offered little effective resistance to their raids.

Can you be a Laibon if you live in Africa?

Also, being resident in Africa (which the Laibon call the Ebony Kingdom) does not make you Laibon. Laibon have a distinctly different worldview forged by centuries of contact with the culture and supernatural of Africa. For example, although there are a few Ventrue in Africa, they are considered outsiders.