Musings

Honestly, I’ve struggled with posting pictures due to my limited technology skills. I’ve decided just to write about my experiences over the last several weeks.

It is known that Africa is home to 126 tribes. During our safari, the Maasai tribe stood out, including our guide. Maasai men are distinguished by their blue capes, whereas the women don red ones, though we didn't encounter many women since they were occupied with work! The men wear rubber sandals crafted from tires.

Their everyday tasks include herding cows, goats, and donkeys. Many of the young Maasai offer security at the camps. I inquired of one man escorting us to our hut if he ever had to shoot an animal. His reply-the gun was to scare animals rather than shoot them. (Silly question since we were on a reserve).

This tribe circumcises their boys every 7 years. It is a big celebration. The boys then are considered Warriors. There are Maasai camps all over Tanzania. (Our guide Edward was born Maasai lived more modernly then the tribes we saw. ) Edward also told me that they circumcise women ( really girls). Seems like this continues but as a back room effort since there are lots of effort to stop this practice. I did not ask questions since I was bothered and uncomfortable with this.

We stopped at a village. The men entertained us with music and dance. Several men took each couple into their smallest hut. There were thatched beds, on for the man and the other for the woman and all her children. We did not visit with women since they were not around.

I inquired with our guide about education for Maasai children. He explained that many do not go to school because they are required to help with herding and other work. I was delighted to encounter about 10 boys and girls returning from school. They were incredibly curious and adorable. The children had shaved heads and wore blue uniforms. Despite the heat, they were still wearing sweaters. Jolene captured an amazing photo of a little girl with striking green eyes.