South of Nairobi just 20 km from the Tanzania border is a small Masai village called Nosikitok. The Masai are herders of cows, goats and sheep and are historically known for their bravery in killing the lion to become a Masai warrior. Their culture has not typically valued education as young boys are raised to follow the tradition of a herdsman and sadly a girl’s value is seen only in her father’s ability to sell her into marriage in return for animals to grow his herd. In hard times like the drought, fathers will sell their daughters as young as 8 years old out of desperation.
Simon, a Masai pastor in the community, shared with me that he sees no difference in a Masai widow and any other Masia woman. He said “they are all like widows because the men do not help them at all”. He went on to say that the women do everything..... fetch water and firewood, cook, care for the children, they even build their houses.
Polygamy is another tradition of the tribe. After meeting 3 wives of the same husband who fathered 21 children among them, I learned that this tradition began in the early 1900s when a chicken pox outbreak greatly reduced the Masai population. It was then that they decided each man would take multiple wives and father many children to grow the population again. In recent years this practice has led to an increased infection rate of HIV and consequently the orphan population is growing.
Nosikito was hit hard by the drought and the immense suffering that resulted was evident as we visited with them. Malnutrition is clearly prevalent and in some cases severe. The community is struggling to meet the additional needs of so many orphans among them. Most surprising was to hear the men speak of education for the children. Community leaders shared that the drought and suffering is causing a change of perspective in some Masai men as they don’t see how their children can survive as herders in such conditions. I was overwhelmed by all that we witnessed and yet very encouraged by many leaders we met who are working hard to change the culture and to bring hope. Stay tuned for more of their story....
