Return to the Maasai in 2011

    In 2011, Kay and I were able to return to the Maasai village that was situated near the Ngorogoro crater in Tanzania.  (We had returned to Tanzania on another photo safari).  Although there had been no guarantees of visiting the same village, we were delighted that circumstances allowed us to visit once again.

    Saint Benedict instructed his monks to "listen carefully . . . with the ear of your heart."  I think that when we are able to do this, we can hear and feel the seam that binds the human mosaic together, and it becomes evident that we are not unique and that we truly are brothers and sisters.  I experienced this truth once again in the village.

    Kay had given a Maasai woman a silver ring in 2009.  When we arrived at the village, I recognized her son, and Kay introduced herself, told him of our previous visit, and asked of his mother.  He told her that she was visiting another village but would send for her and perhaps she would arrive before our tour departed.  

    After some time, she was seen walking toward us.  Although she had aged, her face showed that kindness, humility and joy that was evident to us two years ago.  

Kay had a neck-lace that she gave to her Maasai "sister" on this visit.  Because the Maasai wear beautiful beaded necklaces, she put Kay's necklace over her head with the silver locket at the top.  Through her son who spoke English, she asked if Kay had any children and ushered her back into the village where she gave her gifts of bracelets and a porcupine quill.  She wished Kay a long life and Kay wished her a life full of blessings.

    The belief that each of us is "unique" is fundamentally an illusion, I believe.  Although the Maasai live in a wholly different culture and land, although they live in huts made of cow dung and hold beliefs that seem primitive to twenty-first century Americans, and although the everyday life of Maasai women constitutes hard, physical labor, there's a connection that can be realized when that language of the heart is recognized and spoken. That language can reach across race, culture, class, religion, politics, and it is shared by all humanity.  But to hear it, one must listen with the ear of the heart.  And I learned that lesson from a Maasai woman who lives in a village close to the Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania.

 

Comments

[granny annie]

This report is so amazing. When you visit these places do you have to pinch yourself to be sure you're not dreaming? It seems to increase your ability to see and hear with your heart:)

[Josh]

Great post indeed.

[Ben Rothschild]

hello, my name is Benjamin Rothschild and I am an artist and board member for a Non-Profit in Uganda called AGYA International: http://agyainternational.org/ I will be traveling back to our facility in Kampala to teach a series of Art Workshops with the children and youth and I would very much like to travel to Tanzania or Kenya to meet with some of the Maasai People (However, I am having a hard time making a connection) I was hoping that perhaps you could help me. How did you go about visiting these wonderful people? You can contact me via email at brothsch@gmail.com Thanks!!

[Elliptical reviews]

No offense, but if there's a facebook like button, it'll be much easier for me to share.

[rc helicopter]

Impressive blog! -Arron

[Rentor Tires]

It's true that we are brothers and sisters. No one is unique.

[Locksmith]

Your post was really inspiring. I'd love to go to Tanzania and meet the Maasai tribe.

[Tacoma SEO]

"The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania."

[Louboutin Plat Femmes]

How to Say Goodbye? Kidding ha ha!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing, I will pay attention to you.
By yzi10

[Locksmiths]

i was inspired by your blog... i feel like I'm the person you talking about.. "it doesn't matter haw far both of you as long as there is a trust and love."

[Bankruptcy Attorney Chicago]

it was so good to be in love and be loved in return. i was so touch with your story.

[Floating Candles]

love is the greatest gift... i love this story of yours.

[nike air max pas cher]

Vous avez vraiment résumer henné très salissant et malodorant! Je l'ai utilisé pendant un certain temps et je ris encore à chaque fois. Ma salle de bain ressemble à une zone de guerre après que je suis fait. Je suis toujours un fan. Il n'y a rien de nuisible ou toxique au henné si vous êtes prudent et acheter les choses pures. Mon seul souci: je ne pense pas que ça couvre le gris ainsi que par le passé. Je n'ai pas beaucoup, mais je veu

[Seattle Divorce Attorneys]

i called it true love... I wished their love lasts forever.

[Seattle Criminal Lawyers]

love is sacrifice..... even if both of you are far from each other. Just trust and faith is enough to make your relationships strong

[Plumber Denver]

although we are not in the same race, we love to see like this helping each other.

[cheap christian louboutin shoes]

I like your way of expressing, like your ways of making content structures, like your innovative and extraordinary pictures which I cannot find from other blogs.

[tee shirt marque pas cher]

Lorsque vous visitez ces lieux à visiter le Masai doit avoir essayer inhabituelle, avant que je sais seulement que Marseille populations du Nil dans les semi-nomades au Kenya et le nord de la Tanzanie. Je sais que dans votre blog Marseille amicale. Merci pour le partage. J'espère que vous continuerez à publier de tels articles.

[air jordan pas cher]

Ko jūs teicāt, sniedza daudz nozīmē. Bet, domāju par to, kas notiks, ja tu pievieno mazliet saturu? Es domāju, es dont gribu jums pastāstīt, kā vadīt savu blogu, bet kas notiks, ja jūs pievienot kaut ko varbūt saņemtu tautu uzmanību? Tāpat kā video vai attēlu vai divas, lai iegūtu. Lai pārbaudītu šo līmeni jūsu attiecīgās nodokļu naudu atpakaļ garantiju, apmeklējiet nodokļu likmes mājas lapas, kā rezultātā meklējot to visu visā Google meklēšanas.

[sac burberry pas cher]

http://www.sacburberryfemmepascher.com Juste sur les choses les plus populaires qui sont régulièrement donnés

[Search Engine Optimization Alaska]

I am happy while reading your article. It is so nice to reminisce the things in my past.

[Carpet Cleaning Anchorage]

tudor watches for sale

Bravo! Great contribution its a marvellous piece of work! keep the high job up I have also bookmarked your site.
Thank you for sharing

[Dallas Knee Doctor]

I do trust all the ideas you have introduced in your post. They are really convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for newbies. Could you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

[Wedding Video]

This is the ideal column for anyone who desires to be accustomed with this subject.Full of able acumen based on testing by experts that knew what they were talking about.

[Bankruptcy Chicago]

Hi, The topic that you have discussed in the post is really amazing, I think now I have a strong hold over the topic after going through the post. I will surely come back for more information.