It was pomp and colour as the Maasai Cultural Festival Week kicked off at the Maasai Mara game reserve.
Some 16 out of the 50 sections of the Maasai community displayed their diverse culture as elected, religious leaders, traditional chiefs and elders gave advice on the community's cultural importance for future generations.
Narok County was represented by seven sections including Loita, Purko, Moitanik, Keekonyokie, Siria, Uasin-Ngishu and Ildamat Maasai.
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Kajiado County was represented by the Matapato, Kaputiei, and Kisongo sections of the Maasai while from Samburu County were Loodokilani and Lekuluk. Also present are sections of the Maasai community from Marsabit, the Ilchamus community from Baringo and the Maasai community from the neighbouring country Tanzania.
Political leaders including governors, Members of Parliament, traditional chiefs, church leaders led by Anglican Arc-bishop Jackson Ole Sapit and Members of County Assemblies were present.
On the first day of the festival attended by thousands of community members, and international tourists. Leaders from the three counties addressed the community on why they decided to have the annual event.
Speaking during the event at the Sekenani gate, Narok governor Patrick Ole Ntutu and his Kajiado counterpart Joseph ole Lenku and Jonathan Leleliit (Samburu) said the main focus is for the unity of the community to forge a way forward in taking its position in regional matters.
The three governors vowed to petition the National government to return the Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado from KWS.
Lelelit said it was a big error for former Maasai leaders to let the Amboseli be managed by a National parastatal despite the land belonging to the community.
Lelelit said it was one of the historical injustices that have been committed against the community, and they will speak with the national leadership led by President William Ruto, who is expected on Tuesday, to grace the event.
“After wildlife as the top tourist attraction, the second attraction is our Maasai culture that has brought thousands of international and domestic tourists to our region to witness it, so we must protect our culture and wildlife territories in equal measures,” said Lelelit.
On his part, Ntutu said, “Despite the unity agenda, it’s very important to bring the community's diverse culture together and deliberate on how to conserve it for future generations and preserve it and hand it to our children so the culture will not be eroded”.
Ntutu said the event that coincides with the annual wildebeest migration that is already on in the reserve is meant for the community to celebrate its cultural diversity annually but on rotation among the three counties.
“The Maa nation should be proud of its culture that is celebrated Nationally and internationally, but not to lose it but preserve it for our future generations,” said Ntutu.
Governor Ntutu, who is the host, said the upcoming festival on the second day, will kick off with a Royal tour guide by the Head of State in the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, to welcome the world for the annual wildebeest migration and will provide an opportunity for private and public partnerships to promote cultural entrepreneurship.
Lenku, who also the chairman of the Narok-Kajiado economic block (NAKAEB) said that event which is jointly organised by the Narok, Kajiado and Samburu county governments in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will also to educate the community on the dos and don’ts as well as deliberate the community position Nationally.
“We are having challenges as the Maasai community in regions we are coming from, and it's time we forge a united front and discuss these matters and seek solutions together like the matter of the Amboseli National Park to be given back to the owners,” said Lenku.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NAKAEB Jackson Ole Mbario, who is the lead in the preparation of the event, apart from the Maasai cultural activities and fashion being showcased during the weeklong fest, it will also provide an opportunity for conservationists around the world to meet and discuss the conservation matters alongside bringing a cultural component to tourist.
The event kicked off with the Maa Music Day as all sections of the Maasai community will display their songs and dance on the first day followed by the Maa Fashion Day on the second day where the community will showcase its dress code for all genders, traditional and sacred ornaments, bracelets, necklaces and head gears.
“On the third day, we will display our sports that include jumping, throwing sticks, spear throwing, and wrestling to express how our young men pass their leisure time,” he added.
The attachment of the Maasai to its cows will also be showcased on the fourth day dubbed ‘Maa and his cattle day’ where there will be the cow auction.
Ole Sapit, called for unity and peace of the community to bond and stand together to fight the common challenges among themselves, shun retrogressive cultural practices as they preserve their culture for future generations.
