What we can learn from Maasai Warriors

This was one of the most interesting Future Salons we ever had with Sabore Oiye and Salaton Ole’ Ntutu.

I have never met warriors that were that soft spoken, grounded and happy.

They told us briefly about their upbringing and there were already some lessons in there: When they are very young like 6-7 years old, they are already put in charge of some sheep or goats. Here in the west, you would claim child labor, but within the Maasai culture it is part of how you learn to be a responsible member of the tribe. Once you get older you are put in charge of larger animals.

 

I once read that children that had developmental problems made a leap once they were put in charge of caring for a smaller children or animal. Should make us rethink how we shelter our children and the tendency to supervise them almost every waking hour until they are out of high school.

When Salaton was selected to become the Maasai Chief his mother cried, which we assumed was out of happiness and being pride that her son was selected, that may be true, but Salaton told us about an other aspect: They have certain rituals to call the spirits of the ancestors to give him the energy that he needs to make him strong and many young men don't survive these rituals.  Her crying was out of fear to may be loose a her son too. What qualification rituals do our leaders have to go through?

Throughout the evening there was one thread that came up again and again, the importance of being rooted in ones culture and the strength one can derive from that.

They had the chance to be part of a pow-wow with Native Americans, and they really felt sad for them, as they felt that they lost their way.

When asked what are the traits that they are most proud of from their culture, it was generosity and I think it was the culture itself. Sabore said: If I am on the road and I get to another village, I don't have to beg, I walk into the village and ask where the house for the travelers is, I go there and I can sleep and get to eat, that is how welcoming we are.

They have the tradition of marrying off women at a very young age as well as female genital mutilation. Salaton and Sabore are both working on changing that tradition.

Question: Salaton, your are the Maasai chief, can't you just force the issue?
Salaton: No, we are working on convinceing our people, but without using force. We believe that force and violence that you cause to other people you ultimately do to yourself. [Me think: Oh, oh, how many civilians died in Iraq?]

There was also the exchange that Sabore had with an African American man (AAM)
AAM rolles down his window: Are you for real?
Sabora: Yes, I am a Maasai Worrier from Kenya.
AAM: Man I am so tired of having to hustle all the time here to make ends meet.
Sabore: Well come to Kenya life is less stress over there and I will teach you how to be a warrior.
AAM: But I am a warrior too.
When they parted the African American man was crying.

If I am not mistaken, there may be some new connection created between a local school here and the Kenyan school that Asante Africa is supporting. Nothing would make me happier.

Thank you Karen Yolton, Erna Grasz for bringing Salaton and Sabore to us. Asante Africa is a great example what a difference a handful of people can make. Check out http://asanteafrica.org