While staying at Amboseli National Park, I set up a visit to the nearby village of the Maasai people. I have always had wonderful interactions with the different tribes here in East Africa. Going into their home and seeing the traditional way of life of tribes like the Maasai can have lasting effects on how you prioritize things in your own life. It can be a powerful reminder of what is important. So I was happy that everyone in the group was up for the adventure.
The Masai women seem to do all of the work around the village. They build the houses, take care of the home, retrieve and boil the water, and make all this amazing beaded jewelry.
Invited into Josheph's home. There are two rooms, one for the parents and one for the children. Animal hide stretched over a wooden frame forms the beds, that three kids may share. A small fire provides light, warmth, a place to cook, and smoke to keep mosquitos away.
Women of the village construct the huts, which takes around a week and a half to complete. Mud and dung cover the outside to waterproof the home. I must say it is very cozy inside and I was surprised that I could stand up without having to bend over.
Joseph guided us through his Masai Village, which included dancing, going inside the huts, making fire from two sticks, a makeshift school, and through the inner boma where the cattle are kept safe at night.
The Masai warriors are famous for their colorful regalia, and their dancing. One dance involves the warriors facing off in an athletic show of who can jump the highest while keeping their body strait. The more effortless they make it look, and the higher they go, the more alluring they are to women.
One of Josheph's homes. He has two, one for each wife.
My guests joining in for the Masai welcome dance.
Masai women welcoming us to their village.
Hanging out with the young kids of the village. They showed off some math skills by writing the answers in the dirt with their fingers.
You will never regret joining in and experiencing a culture very different than your own. It is an eye-opening experience.
Our security guard at Amboseli Lodge was from this village. He wanted me to say hi to his family when I visited. I took this picture to show him on my return. He gave the phone a kiss when he saw it.
The kids singing their ABC's.
It is a hard life of the Masai. They are traditionally a nomadic, pastoral community. Now that they are becoming less nomadic and unable to move their cattle around, droughts can be harder to overcome. Several cows at this village were being butchered because they were too starved to survive for long. Any visits from tourists like us can be a huge benefit for the community. They are very lucky to be so close to a national park. I can't imagine how hard it is for communities farther out into the wild.
The warriors showing off their jumping skills.
This Masai created fire from two sticks, dried dung, and straw in a minute and a half. I was very impressed.
I met this guy last year at this same village. One of my guests was a certified yoga instructor and found out that this masai taught yoga in the nearby school. So I had to track him down and have a private lesson again. He had some tips for my warrior pose.
Check out the location here on pinmapple.com -
[//]:# (!pinmapple -2.549743 lat 37.073690 long Maasai Village Visit d3scr)
More to come on my African Safari!
-Dai Mar
African Safari Part III
African Safari Part II
African Safari Part 1