Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Meeting our Maasai Family


We were received with ceremony when we arrived at the boma. Clamian said they had been excitedly awaiting our arrival for days and this day they were watching for our dust on the road.  Bob and I were given a special place in the middle of the circle.  He was given a ceremonial "talking stick" -- a beautifully beaded piece of tribal art that chiefs carry -- when the chief raises the stick, everyone must be quiet and listen!  I told him not to let it go to his head!!!  I was given a beautiful necklace with my new Maasai name on it, Nagaloi, which means "caretaker".

The sun was setting as we settled into our tents and in the evening the people danced and chanted for us.  Their music is intoxicating and before long we were all dancing together, Maasai style.  I had no idea what to expect of this day -- I knew we would be honored, but words cannot express how we were unabashedly honored and respected.




The Most Special Day

Today we get to go to the school.  The whole village gathered to proudly show us what they have accomplished and no wonder they are proud!  There are 9000 bricks in this school, each one made one at a time, by hand, on the brick maker we bought for them in January, and dried in the sun!  They gave us the honor of passing up the first sheet of roofing and we all cheered as it was nailed in place.


Above: Erastos showing the children how to use a camera.  They are like sponges and pick things up very quickly.

Below: Some of our future students


This was the most special day for me as a small group of the women gathered around me and began to dance and chant their thanks to me for helping them with the school.  Fortunately Erastos was right there and could translate.  This was a totally spontaneous outpouring of gratitude in the form of song, which seems to be a prevalent form of communication.  

The roof was on when we left 3 days later.


A Maasai Track Meet





The villagers wanted to show us their games.  What fun we all had.  First a soccer game, then races for all ages, followed by high jump, then spear throwing and a lesson in how to kill a lion!  And a contest between a lion and a mother buffalo.  Of course at the end of the day more dancing and singing.  We were told that the Maasai dance every night -- certainly a different form of entertainment than in our world!  It was great fun for the observers too.  Check out the school in the background.