Cultural Visits and Interaction

---

Dad took off for one last game drive in Meru National Park while I went for an evening walk with one of the guides in training. From our vantage on top of the kopje we got to see elephants! The climb was a hands and feet climb from time to time and I regretfully asked about snakes before we returned to camp. The guide shared he had seen a black mamba on the trail not so many days ago. From then on I jumped each time a bush rustled.



We flew out the next morning for a quick trip to Samburu National Park. This time it was a crocodile that was the last large animal we saw on the way to the airport. On the flight we saw the geography change with some areas planted with irrigated crops of coffee and tea. Once here, the park was dry just as it was in Meru. The rains are coming soon and are needed to refill rivers and reservoirs. The location of the Saruni Samburu, our camp, is in a conservatory reserve shared by the local communities. The purpose of the conservatory is to ensure members of the nomadic tribe are able to access land to graze their cattle, goats and camels. It’s been interesting learning more about the conflict between the wild animals and the needs of the local residents.

We've had the opportunity here for increased interaction with local community members.



On a morning walk here I got to learn more about the customs of the tribal members while sitting in a cave shared by wild animals and tribal warriors (none were present at the time J). At around age 14-17, males are initiated as warriors with a circumcision ceremony held in all communities throughout the county. Once a warrior, they must support themselves in the bush and are no longer allowed to have a “plate at their mother’s table”. If sick, they are sent to the bush and must remain there until the die or are well. Around 27-32 they become elders and may marry. The tribal members wear gorgeous colorful costumes with lots of beads.



New animals we got to see – an aardvark, a aardwolf puppy, several Grevy’s zebra and oryx, a wild cat and eagles. I got to see a cheetah (second one for dad). We saw lots of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles, impalas, dig-a-digs and colorful birds. Our guide was Sambara. We went on day drives, afternoon drives and a spotlight night drive.



Sambara took me on a visit to the village. This is something organized as part of the conservatory plan to help local villages benefit from tourism and honor their culture. Their world is dramatically different than the life I’ve experienced. I included photos of the huts that each family in the village lives in. The size of each hut depends on the number in the family. The one I have photos of from the inside is for a family of eight.



Samburu and Massa tribes are polygamists. The first wife is selected by and negotiated for by the husband’s family. Wives two plus are arranged for by the future husband. Each wife has her own hut. In the camp where we are staying, one of the employees shared she is one of 26 children. Her father has six wives.



Their primary sources of food are blood, milk and meat from goats and cattle. They have chickens but they don’t eat them. They use the eggs for trade to acquire beads and other goods.



School children are taught both Swahili and English in school. The males I visited with in the village that were English speaking had extensive vocabularies and were usually easy to understand. The teachers have been on strike for two months. They are hopeful that school will resume next year.



They told me if I wanted to stay they thought my father could get 20 cows for me. Not sure if that was a good offer or not.



Primarily men work in the camp and interact with guests. Staff here were primarily from the Samburu tribe with a few in key positions that are Massa.



Next stop – Massa Mara National Park and the Rekero Camp.

---

Comments

[Lisa smith]

Wow
This is all so incredible! Really enjoy your blogs!