This week, Maasai singers gathered from all over Ngorongoro andbeyond to celebrate their craft. These are leaders of songs in the churches of all the denominations located at Ngorongoro. They are young men and women that have published their music in the form of CDs. There were fifteen who came together to perform their music before the large crowd of Maasai and others gathered here in the small village of Olbalbal. Prominent among the performers was Matayo OleTajewuo, of our own church here at Olbalbal.

The singers mounted the celebration to raise funds for their society of singing artists. They are establishing this group to promote their music and to help each other publish and distribute their CDs. The party produced the equivalent of some $3,000 dollars in contributions. This astounding sum came from a few rich people. Our member of parliament gave $1,000, as did a number of other rich people.

Among the Maasai, there is avery well known singer, OlePakuo, living in Kenya, who has produced many CDs and is famous throughout Maasai country both in Kenya and here in Tanzania. Our own Matayo OleTajewuo is being referred to by many “OlePakuo Kiti”, The little Olepakuo. I was hearing this nickname from numerous people during the celebration. His music is arresting and unique. It seems that our own OleTajewuo is becoming a local celebrity.