The Maasai
Cultural Heritage program has formally begun! Judging from the look on the
faces of the many hundreds of local community members who graced the launching
ceremony at the Olorgesailie prehistoric site, it is an appropriate and worthwhile
project. They welcomed the idea enthusiastically and pledged their support to
ACC, SORALO and their partners to bring the objectives of the program to
fruition.
The day was
bright and hot but this did not deter everyone who gathered to witness the
birth of this unique program. In keeping
with Maasai tradition the site for the proposed Maasai cultural museum, the
physical base for the program, was blessed by elders as the local women sang
and unloaded their donkeys as they would before setting up a new home.
Speeches of support followed from the local community leaders, the Chairman of the African Conservation Centre (ACC) Dr. David Western, the Executive Director of ACC Mrs. Lucy Waruingi, Dr. Rick Potts from the Smithsonian Institution an institution of the National Museums of United States of America, the Director of Sites & Monuments of the National Museums of Kenya Dr. Hassan Wario and the guest of honor the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture , Dr. Jacob Ole Miaron.
Everyone
was in agreement there is need for the “Maasai” brand to be observed and
conserved in a form that is true to traditional values and in a way that can be
learned and appreciated by the generations of Maasai to come.
The
program aims to rekindle, preserve and perpetuate Maasai heritage by launching
the first Maasai Festival in 2013. The annual festivals will bring together
vignettes of Maasai heritage and encourage communities to share, restore and
celebrate their culture, and to exhibit and perpetuate traditional practices,
skills and knowledge for the benefit of Maasai communities. In
addition, the interactive cultural museum which will be created at Olorgesailie
will showcase Maasai culture all year round.
Posted by;
Rahab Wandia
Posted by;
Rahab Wandia
