ABSTRACT
IN many ways the moran are conspicuously different from the remainder of the society. This is so, for instance, in the ways in which they clothe and decorate themselves: their long braided hair covered in red ochre, their decorative bead ornaments, and their colourful loin cloths are a sharp contrast to the relatively drab and unobtrusive apparel of boys and elders. General attention is constantly converging in their direction, and the ostentatiousness of much of their behaviour appears to result from as well as result in this attention. They are the potential warriors of a warrior-oriented society: they are conscious of their position and of what is expected of them, and this gives an added importance to their actions. Standards of achievement are enhanced: anything less than complete success becomes failure, slights or insinuations become insults, and certain ideals of behaviour tend to be regarded as rigid obligations. This compulsive element in their behaviour is frequently referred to by Samburu elders as childish and irresponsible. But it must be emphasized that these youths are socially still only children and many of them have no responsibilities thrust on their shoulders.
