KENYA - Widows of the Masai Mara

We donated nearly 100 cows to Masai widows, in one of the loveliest days of my entire life...

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

BACKSTORY: After the September 11 attacks in NYC, the very poor people of the Maasai Mara banded together and  raised enough money to buy fourteen cows as a gift to America to help us heal. Cows are their most prized possession, and in a ceremony attended by hundreds of Maasai, some held banners which read, "To the people of America, we give these cows to help you."

This incredible act of generosity inspired us to go back to thank them.

A very dated video of that wonderful day...

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/ca1208_72032fbc2749435ba216e0d5206f6128/240p/mp4/file.mp4

During the planning stages, we learned about the plight of the Kenyan widow, and it was really bleak. Since women aren't as valuable as men, the tribal custom is that when a man dies, all of their joint property goes back to his family - leaving her with nothing.

Many men in the region have died from HIV, snake bites, and other accidents, so our program focussed solely on their widows.  We also wanted to make it a continual gift, so for the women who received cows - the only requirement was that they in turn would be required to give their first born female calf to someone else in need in the village.

We gave only heifers, so each woman could use the morning milk for nourishment, and then sell the evening milk for flour or other necessities.

It was one of the most incredible experiences, herding nearly 100 cows to a village in Kenya, and then hiding them behind a hill to wait for the ceremony the following day. The women were invited to attend a ceremony, where they only knew that they would be getting a present from some Americans, not even remotely aware of how rich they were soon to become.

Hundreds of people gathered, humming, singing, dressed in traditional Maasai red, with their faces painted - the most regal and beautiful people we’d ever seen.

The equivalent of the Secretary of the Interior for Kenya (cabinet member) came all the way from Nairobi, made us honorary Kenyan Citizens, and then the villagers dressed us in traditional Maasai robes and adopted us into their tribe. 

After some music and speeches, and after being newly named "Lekishon - The One Who Brings Wealth," I stood in the middle of the field as each woman came up to draw a number out of a hat - the number corresponding to a cow she would receive. When they all had their numbers we walked toward the field where the cows were waiting with numbers around their necks.

Joy spread rapidly, as the women came to the realization that this was their gift, and there were tears, shouts, laughter, singing, and ululating.

One women in particular came up with tears in her eyes, and through an interpreter said, “You have answered my prayer to God. I never dreamed I’d be this wealthy!"  We found out later that her husband died soon after they were married, leaving her with three young children. It was also about the same time her mother died, leaving her with four younger siblings to take care of, at only 24 years old. Penniless, with 7 children, before she turned 25.

We spent the rest of the day with the women, speaking with each one, and in a complete daze. Women with the stretched earlobes, their faces painted red and covered in beads would chant, ululate, bring their children to touch us, hugging us so tightly, rubbing their cheeks along ours - and it was overwhelmingly beautiful and surreal.

For those of who contributed a cow, thank you. You truly changed the entire life of a family that day, and the cow you provided will be a source of wealth for years to come. 

ABOUT COWS: The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists. The cattle are fundamental to the tribe's survival and this has led to an almost mystical relationship.

The Maasai believe that their (Rain) God Ngai granted all cattle to them for safekeeping when the earth and sky split, and now cattle are central to Maasai economy.

They serve many purposes: their milk and blood is used for food; their hide is used for mattresses, shoes and other accessories; their dung is used for plastering hut walls; their (sterile) urine has some medicinal and cleansing qualities; their meat is rarely taken for food (but may be used during ceremonies and in times of famine). Blood is obtained by creating a small wound, however the wound is not fatal and is patched up afterwards.

Cattle are a major sign of wealth and exchanged during marriage (to pay for brides). The quantity of cattle is more important than the quality although the Maasai have well over a hundred words to describe the cow.

The cows serve as the lifeline among the tribe, and without cows they are not Maasai.