The Country Of The Maasai — The Maasai Mara. Kenya, part 3

Hi!
It's great that you like the second part of the report about my trip to Kenya, your comments motivate me to write more. In my reports I try not to use Wikipedia, basing the story on their memories. I think it is very important to understand what you remember, so that was the most impressive. In the third part I will tell you about the Maasai people and the Mara reserve.

Masai Mara in Kenya translated to mean "Points of the Maasai". If you look at the national Park, you will see that it is a huge area, dotted with points of villages in which live representatives of the Maasai herdsmen and warriors.

To meet Masaya at any corner of Kenya, but it is here, in this land, where especially lots of green grass and open spaces for grazing, especially a lot of them. They live in small villages of 10-15 houses, small huts, made from a mixture of cow dung and mud. In the sun this mixture quickly solidifies and forms a rather strong wall. The advantages of this material are obvious: it is always at hand and breathes, so the heat in houses is not so hot

Inside the house — more than Spartan conditions. Bed made of wooden beams, covered with skin, a few pillows and blankets. Next to the hearth, where food is prepared. The whole family lives in a small cabin with narrow aisles and very modest conditions. The house has only one window and when we shot inside, I nearly carbon monoxide poisoning, because the ventilation is very weak, but, if you look at the ceiling, you can see the years of soot, hanging stalagmites

Male Masai warrior and shepherd. In fact, his life is in the duty of care of the cattle, Hiking on the Savannah with herds of cows, goats and sheep. From an early age the children of the tribe in small groups chasing cattle from one pasture to another. But while the Maasai still warriors able to defend your village and your livestock from predators. During his life, men undergo some rite of passage, passing from one status to another. After each ceremony they have the ability to carry different weapons from regular sticks to spears that can easily pierce the Behemoth.

Some rituals may seem to the European wild man. For example, circumcision. It is performed without any anesthesia and the boy should not flinch a muscle and, even more, no make no sound. Only then can he be considered a man and a warrior. The life of Maasai hone the skills of survival in the Savannah and Bush (to put it simply the Bush) where there are lots of wild animals I mentioned in the previous parts.

Maasai women do the housework, but not like our Housewives. Their responsibilities include building a house, providing a hearth with firewood, cooking food and much more. Unlike our livelihood, the Maasai woman often makes a very hard work, carrying huge bales of firewood.

Have a family tribe is very large. Often more than 10 children, they need to ensure the life of the village. The children help with the cattle, look out for each other and the house.

The life of a child is determined by his father. It defines, it is worth it to go to school or not. Many men try to give education to their children, so that he could work in the city or tourists. So the Masai not always wrapped in szczuka (Maasai blanket) and weapons. Our drivers and our guides — all of them Maasai. The best guides who know English and can a lot of and interesting story to tell. They went to school, and many then went to the University.

In the next photo mark during the night ritual in the Bush. Young Maasai with friends go to Savannah, where you perform a ritual killing of a sheep, drink his blood and eat your supper and go to bed. The next day the young warrior is a rite of passage and goes for 3 months and living in nature. In return, he is considered a man. That is, if in brief.

Blood plays a distinct role in the life of the tribe. The Maasai believe that with all the blood they receive the power of the animal. Classic drink — the blood of the cow, mixed with her own milk. Such a dinner is always available, because a number of a huge herd.

"Capital" of the Masai Mara can be considered the Talek. He would rather hike to a large market, consisting of heaps of shops, bars and workshops. Separate pleasure — the name tents. Everyone, even the most run-down shop will be proud to call "Gen. Store" (Store, in other words)

Of course we could not make the classic Kenyan photo — "the warrior of the Masai tribe in a fiery African sunset"

All for today. Don't forget to check out previous parts: Part 1 and Part 2

And the next part will talk a little about transport of Kenya and will in detail tell about the Land Cruiser 79, on which we rode)