There are many African tribes but, for many people, the Masai are the most well-known. They are famous for their bright red clothing and their ceremonies with lots of music and dancing. Probably, one of the most colorful ceremonies is the festival of "Eunoto," when the teenage boys of the Masai become men.
Eunoto lasts for many days and Masai people travel across the region to get to a special place near the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The teenage boys who travel with them are called "warriors." This is a traditional name from the past when young men fought with other tribes.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the teenagers paint their bodies while their mothers start to build a place called the "Osingira," a sacred room in the middle of the celebrations. Later, the senior elders from different tribes will sit inside this place and, at different times, the boys go inside to meet them. Later in the day, the boys run around the Osingira, going faster and faster each time.
The teenagers also have to alter their appearance at Eunoto. Masai boys' hair is very long before the ritual but they have to cut it off. In Masai culture, hair is an important symbol. For example, when a baby grows into an infant, the mother cuts the child's hair and gives the child a name. At a Masai wedding, the hair of the bride is also cut off as she becomes a woman. And so, at Eunoto, the teenage boy's mother cuts his hair off at sunrise.
On the final day, the teenagers meet the senior elders one more time. They get this advice: "Now you are men, use your heads and knowledge." Then, people start to travel back to their homes and lands. The teenagers are no longer warriors. They are adult men and now they will get married and have children. Later in life, they will be the leaders of their communities.
They are adult men and now they will get married and have children. Later in life, they will be the leaders of their communities.
(Adapted from "Life" by John Hughes, Helen Stephenson and Paul Dummett)
Question 65: The Masai is ______ tribe in Africa.
A. the worst B. the most famous
C. the most powerful D. the most wealthy
Question 66: What are the Masai well-known for?
A. their clothing and ceremonies B. their music and dancing
C. their arts D. their festivals
Question 67: The festival of Eunoto celebrates teenage boys’ transition into ______.
A. infancy B. adolescence
C. childhood D. adulthood
Question 68: How long does Eunoto last?
A. a few days B. some days C. many days D. several days
Question 68: For Eunoto celebrations, Masai people have to travel to a special place ______.
A. in either Kenya or Tanzania B. in the local area
C. between Kenya and Tanzania D. in another continent
Question 69: Warriors is the name that is given to ______ who travel for Eunoto.
A. the elders B. the teenage boys C. the mothers D. the infants
Question 70: Warriors is a traditional name that is given to young men who ______ with other tribes in the past.
A. fought B. communicated C. transacted D. argued
Question 71: When do Masai teenagers paint their bodies?
A. after the ceremony B. prior to the ceremony
C. during the ceremony D. following the ceremony
Question 72: At the Eunoto, Osingira is the name of ______.
A. the celebrations B. the boys
C. the tribes D.a sacred room
Question 73: Who will sit inside the Osingira during the celebrations?
A. the Masai senior elders B. the mother
C. the young men D. the girls
Question 74: What do the boys do with the Osingira by the end of the day?
A. walking around B. running around
C. dancing around D. rowing around
Question 75: What do Masai teenagers have to change about themselves at Eunoto?
A. their look B. their clothes
C. their behaviors D. their lifestyle
Question 76: What is an important symbol in Masai culture?
A. clothes B. eyes C. teeth D. hair
Question 77: The child has his/ her hair cut and is given a name when he/she becomes ______.
A. teenager B. adolescent C. infant D. adult
Question 78: A Masai girl has her hair cut off at her ______ as a symbol of her becoming a woman.
A. birthday B. wedding C. baby shower D. graduation
Question 79: When do teenage boys’ mothers cut their hair off at Eunoto?
A. at sunrise B. at sunset C. at noon D. in the morning
Question 80: After Eunoto, the teenage boys are considered as _______.
A. adults B. adolescents C. leaders D. warriors
Question 81: Some of the things the adult men will do after Eunoto are ______.
A. getting married B. having children
C. becoming the community leaders D. all of the above
V.3. Read the following passage and select the correct an
