On the basis of ethnographic data provided by Cronk (1989), we have developed a computer simulation of the demographic growth and cattle accumulation processes of the Mukogodo, a low status group in northern Kenya. The Mukogodo appear to be emulating the cultural characteristics and wealth of the Maasai. The process of doing so involves the marrying out of daughters in order to accumulate cattle and parental neglect of sons, in order (we claim) to avoid having sons who would place bridewealth claims against the fledgling herds of there fathers. This process of "primitive accumulation" negatively affects the reproductive prospects of Mukogodo men. The process of primitive accumulation is only the first of a three phase strategy of "becoming Maasai." We find that while the sizes of Mukogodo lineages are reduced by this strategy there is a compensating increase in the number of Mukogodo genes that are exported with the out-marrying daughters, leaving reproductive success unaffected.