Highly decorative Massai milk jug 09.01.1688
Traditionally, the Maasai rely on meat, milk and blood from cattle for protein and caloric needs. People now drink blood only on special occasions, including at a boys circumcision or after a woman has given birth. The Maasai believe blood is very rich in protein and is good for the immune system. To get the blood, men shoot an arrow in the jugular vein in the cow's neck. The blood spills in a gourd. The bleeding is stopped by applying a wad of dung and mud to the arrow hole.