On Monday morning we chose
to go visit a Massai village, instead of our mid morning game drive. We were greeted by the chief, who was
extremely accommodating. Although he was
the 4th son, he was chosen to be the chief when he was 6 years old
because he showed strong leadership abilities at that young age.
At the end of the tour, we were given the opportunity to do some "shopping". Even the little girls were trying to sell their crafts.
I felt like I had stepped
back in time 3,000 years. This is
seriously how they live.
They raise cattle and they build their homes from cow dung. The keep their cows in the center of the circle of huts, so the ground is totally made of several feet of dried cow dung.
These people are very happy with their lives and don’t want things to change. However, some of the money from donations from the camp we stayed in, and some of our hefty National Park fees ($70 per person per day… for a total of $420 for us) has gone towards building a big school for 420 children in the area. They now allow girls to go to school, so I imagine things will change some in the next generation.
They raise cattle and they build their homes from cow dung. The keep their cows in the center of the circle of huts, so the ground is totally made of several feet of dried cow dung.
These people are very happy with their lives and don’t want things to change. However, some of the money from donations from the camp we stayed in, and some of our hefty National Park fees ($70 per person per day… for a total of $420 for us) has gone towards building a big school for 420 children in the area. They now allow girls to go to school, so I imagine things will change some in the next generation.
They performed for us and
had me join in.
Our driver and guide’s name
was John and he was excellent. Although
he has worked at our camp for 14 years, and wears a nice uniform and works with
guests with lots of money, he loves his life as a Masai. He has many wives (it is custom not to tell
how many) . A few years ago he went to the US to find another wife. However, he was disgusted with all of the
American girls because they were "weak".
They wouldn’t agree to pick up cow-dung!
The Masai women repair the houses regularly with a paste made of cow-dung.
I left appreciating this
culture and these good people.
However, I AM SOOOO GLAD I AM ME!
Oh my word!! That is so crazy!! And how hilarious that he thought he could come to the US and talk some lady into moving to Africa to live with multiple wives in a house made of cow dung!!!
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