Masai Musings

In the Masai Mara, Kari, Dad, Russ and I went for a walking safari with two young Masai men, Simon and his brother.  Simon taught us the practical and medicinal use of various leaves and roots, how to read animal tracks, and how to tell the age of an elephant from its dung.  Simon explained that pregnant and nursing women are fed elephant dung tea, for the nutrients from the processed acacia thorns.

The Masai men and boys still lead semi-nomadic lives, taking their cows and goats to graze.  Predators have learned to fear them from their red cloths.  The women stay behind in the village (boma, or manyatta) to tend to the younger children.

We visited Simon's village, which houses 10 families. The men and women greeted us with song and dance, and encouraged us to join in. Simon showed us the inside of his house, which is constructed from cow dung and sticks.  He is married with 3 children.  His family arranged his marriage, and he is okay with that.  As the sun began to set, the children led the cows and goats into the manyatta and Simon led us back to our lodge.

 Simon explains the beneficial properties of drinking elephant dung tea.

If you look closely, you can see that those rock-like lumps in the river are hippos.

Simon taking us to his boma, which is fenced with thorns to keep predators away. That baby goat was born that day.

The villagers answer the kudu horn call to dance with my brother. That's a lion mane hat he's wearing !

 

Now it's the women's turn to sing for us.

Village elder.

Taking the calves home for the night.

Thanks for the wonderful walk, Simon !