Adumu: The Traditional Maasai Dance

Jump high! Jump higher! If you jump the highest, you will get warrior status and get the option of choosing your prettiest bride. This is one of the traditions followed by the Maasai people of East Africa. This traditional dance, known as ‘Adumu’ initiates a adult boy into a warrior man. In this dance, the boys jump as high as possible while music and claps egg them on in the background.


This dance is primarily performed during Eonoto, the coming of age ceremony of warriors. This jumping dance or aigus is one of the things that make the Maasai people really famous. Coz, this event is heavily photographed and video-graphed by many tourists.



During this competitive jumping event, a circle is formed by the warriors, and one or two will enter the center to begin jumping while maintaining a narrow posture, never letting their heels touch the ground. During this jump, members of the group may raise the pitch of their voices based on the height of the jump.