Endulen Diary
Vol. 18, #4
November, 2003
7th… This week has seen clashes between the Maasai warriors of Ngorongoro. The problem is grass or rather the lack of it. It is continues to be very dry here and the cattle are getting thin. In Olmisigio, a place about half way to Endulen from the crater, there is more grass than in some other areas. As things getting more and more difficult, the warriors of that area don’t want cattle from other parts of Ngorongoro to move in and totally finish off their available grazing. This precipitated a clash between the warriors of Olairobi, the immediate area surrounding the crater, and those of Olmisigio. A lot of the teenagers got seriously knocked around with knobkerries and in a couple of cases short sword wounds. Fortunately, only one morani was badly hurt and he is recovering at the hospital here in Endulen. The police intervened and stopped the “mini-war” before things got really out of hand. Then, the elders entered the picture and ruled that, at least for the time being, anyone could go anywhere to graze. Things have escalated to some extent due to the conviction of each group of warriors that the other is taking steps to put curses on them. I think the only real solution is that the rains come and the grass grows.
15th…
The origin of the Maasai and the Bantu people…
When Leeyo grew old, he called his children to him and said to them: “My children, I am now very old, I wish to bid you goodbye.” He then asked the elder son what he wanted out of all his wealth. His son replied: “I wish something of everything upon the earth.” “Since you want something of everying,” the old man said, “take a few head of cattle, a few goats and sheep, and some of the food of the earth. The elder son replied: “Very well.” Leeyo then called his younger son, and asked him what he wanted. “I should like, Father, “the younger one said, “The fly whisk you carry suspended from your arm.” His father replied: “My child, because you have chosen this fly whisk, God will give you wealth and you will be great among your brother’s people.” The one who selected something of everything became the Olmeeki (outsider), and he who received the fly whisk became the father of the Maasai. (Taken from Hollis)
30th…
I have taken the six girls who graduated this year from our one year prep school to write the entrance exams at two places, Kibosho Girls Secondary School and Ngarenarok Girls Secondary School in Arusha. That way they will have two chances to get into a school. If they don’t pass the one, maybe some will pass the other. Both of the girl’s schools are run by sisters and have a good reputation. Our seven boys have taken the entrance exams at Makumira Secondary school, a secondary school near Arusha that has had great results in recent years. The competition is formidable. Many hundreds of young people have taken the entrance exams at each of these three places, resulting in very stiff competition. We now wait to hear how if Maasai boys and girls will get into secondary school.
Till next month…
Ned