Chapter 5 -- Maasai for a Day

On the Sunday afternoon of our Mara weekend, we had the opportunity to go visit a Maasai village near our camp.  We were escorted there by one of the warriors at our camp, who then dropped us off with the chief of the village.  He introduced himself to us outside the fence (built to keep their herd of cows in at night, while keeping predators out), told us we were welcome, explained to us what all we'd see, said we could take any pictures we'd like, and that he was happy to answer any questions we had.  

I'm so glad we did this, as it was an experience unlike anything I've ever done.  The Maasai are a beautiful, vibrant, nomadic people who literally follow the pastures for their herds of cattle, building little villages everywhere they go.  Their way of life seems incredibly difficult, but they're gracious people, happy to invite you into their tiny huts to show you how they survive and what makes them unique.

Maasai women carrying water to the village

I just know this chick is looking at me and singing to herself:
♫ "One of these things is not like the other..." ♫

They began by showing us a few of their traditional dances.  The men of the village started with their warrior dances, which they typically use for any of their tribal ceremonies.  I wish I'd taken videos so you could hear the chanting parts -- they were actually quite scary sounding.  The second dance was more of a jumping contest, which really just seems like a way to score chicks.  From what it sounded like, the ones who can jump the highest get the most girls.  The girls then make them necklaces and bracelets to show them they're interested.  So basically, the better jumper you are, the more decorated you are, and the more of a ladies' man too.  I'm telling you -- different cultures, same story.  It really doesn't matter where you go. 

Warrior chants

The champion jumper -- Mind you, most of these guys are like 6'5" and
his hips are clearing their heads, jumping flat-footed and bare-foot off the ground.
This dude must get all the ladies.  Check out all those necklaces.

Stephen, the Scotsman (L) & I with dancing clubs of some sort.
The chief (R) also put his lion-mane hat on me.  Eww.

Next up -- The Mama Dance.  Which I was expected to participate in.  And don't you know that these ladies found it completely hysterical when they asked me "how many babies," and I said zero.  "ZERO??"  Way to rub it in, ladies, thanks.  I might as well have said 600.  That's how hard they laughed.  Apparently our moms aren't the only ones who fret over the possibility that their daughters might never give them grandchildren.

Can't get enough of these colors!

Earrings, much??

A cautionary tale on why not to wear those really heavy earrings
that you love for more than a few hours at a time...

I thought this girl was really beautiful...

Jammin' with the ladies

That's my new friend, Veronica.  True story.

Who knew they had sippy cups out here??

They also had some of the cutest little kids you've ever seen.  They all came scrambling up to us, wanting to talk to us and show us how they could dance and snap their fingers.

Homerun Champs.  Really?
Then can I please get some normal (i.e. NOT SOCCER) sports and
some ESPN somewhere in this country??

This little girl...oh my gosh.  She was such a ham!  I don't
know how I didn't end up with a better picture of her Cheshire Cat grin.
I fully expect to see her in Hollywood someday!

Not a baby doll...

See?  Apparently the lugging around of Not-Zero-Babies starts at an awfully early age around here!

The warriors also taught us how they make fire using only 2 sticks -- one carved from olive wood and one from acacia wood.  They probably had this lit in about 15 seconds.  "No lighters and no matches," they said.  Yeah, thanks.  We know. We're spoiled.

The last thing we did before we left was take a walk through their little craft and jewelry market.

Maasai men have a "limit of 15 wives," so I joked with them that maybe I'd come back and have a limit of 15 husbands, which they thought was beyond hilarious.  Shudder.  Absolutely not.  No way in hell.  Not even a little bit funny...  But Mom, I do promise that I'll try to do something about that grandbaby thing for you someday, so that no more Maasai women will chuckle about me having (gasp) "ZERO BABIES?!"