The Maasai are a
Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people inhabiting southern Kenya and
northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations due to their
residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their
distinctive customs and dress. The
Tanzanian and Kenyan governments have instituted programs to encourage the
Maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle- but the people have willingly continued their age-old customs.
They follow many
rituals – some involve singing and dancing. Masai Warriors are well known for,
and often photographed during, this competitive jumping. A circle is formed by
the warriors, and one or two at a time will enter the center to begin jumping
while maintaining a narrow posture, never letting their heels touch the ground.
Kenya’s Maasai tribe are known icon for the richness and diversity of the
country’s culture, a people whose traditions, beliefs and routines have changed
little since the dawn of our history.
Even in a changing society, their way of life continues to be to that of
ancestors revolving around cows, sheep
and goats.
Warriors, all the
young men in the community, are in charge of protecting livestock from
predators and enemies, and, of taking cattle to far away pastures during the
dry season. Women and children look after goats and sheep, that are more
resilient and can remain near the homesteads also during the dry spells- thus
always providing milk and meat for the family. Recently I had posted about the six-hitting or
rather hitting of drone with a lofted shot, which Chris Gayle won beating Kevin
Pietersen. Perhaps, Maasai warriors known for their
fierce hunting culture can pose a challenge to Gayle, as they exchange their
spears for cricket bats.
The team recently took part in a charity match against the
British Army Training Unit Kenya in Nanyuki, at the foot of Mount Kenya.The
Maasai Cricket Warriors team are known for using the sport to raise awareness
on HIV/AIDS, women's issues and poaching.
The Cricket match was held at the
90,000-acre OlPejeta Conservancy and organised in conjunction with the
Australian High Commission.
The cricketers were
also pictured with Sudan, who is now the
last male of only five remaining northern-white rhinoceroses in the world. Sudan is a northern white rhinoceros
(Ceratotheriumsimumcottoni), one of the two subspecies of the white
rhinoceros. Formerly found in several countries in East and Central Africa
south of the Sahara, it is considered critically endangered or Extinct in the
Wild. This subspecies is a grazer in grasslands and savanna
woodlands. The 43-year-old rhino named Sudan - who could live until his
50s - is the last chance for any future northern white rhino calves. Sudan was moved, to Kenyan reservealong
with two female rhinos, from a zoo in the Czech Republic in December 2009. It is protected by armed guards round the
clock.
The group also
organise cricket safaris into Laikipia, where teams can play the sport in a
nature reserve while being watched by wildlife.Cricket was introduced to the
Maasai in 2009 by South African primate researcher Aliya Bauer, who missed the
sport while living in Kenya.She began by teaching schoolchildren, before young
Maasai warriors started watching the training sessions and then decided to join
in.
In the game held at
the 90,000-acre OlPejeta Conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya, about 130
miles north of Nairobi, the warriors did display amazing skills.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
18th June 2015.
