The Maasai people have been most hospitable in many ways — whether inviting visitors into their homes constructed out of materials which include cow manure; demonstrating their knowledge and skills of how to start a fire without the use of matches or lighters; or simply using a traditional dance for welcoming their guests — but it will soon be time to start a safari in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Maasai People of Kenya: A Photographic Essay of Random Images
The homes in the village under partly cloudy Kenyan skies were quiet as the entire population turned out to display their wares on homemade tables to sell to visitors.
A mother and her baby are two of the inhabitants of the village to greet visitors.
A Maasai woman prepares one of the makeshift tables with items to sell.
The views around the village show expanses of land with mountains off in the distance.
The sale is on.
Everything from carved painted wooden animals to bracelets of beads to items of sculpted clay and metal are placed on display.
As the houses have no locks, I am unsure as for what purpose are the two keys hanging from the neck of this girl.
Pestering flies seem to be getting the best of this little girl.
Members of a family enjoy their time being outside.
This boy — dressed in a mix of traditional clothing and a red T-shirt — has more bracelets to be sold.
A dog follows this mother, who is carrying her child on her back and a bag of items on her side.
I had to take a photograph of this little Maasai girl.
The flies were quite annoying; but the Maasai people take them in stride as part of their everyday routine.
I found the Maasai people to be quite photogenic.
In addition to cash, the Maasai people are open to negotiating for items from foreign countries — such as a lanyard around the neck of this woman to hold what appears to be a car key.
This location looks like the ideal place to relax and perhaps have a picnic of sorts.
This is one last look into the homes and people of this Maasai village.
The visitors prepare to leave to go on safari as several Maasai men gather to say goodbye and wish them well…
…and it is time to tend to the cattle of the village.
Summary
I truly enjoyed visiting the village inhabited by the Maasai people and would highly recommend doing so if you have the opportunity.
Please be sure to view the photographic essays of when I participated in the safari — such as when I was unexpectedly treated to witnessing a cheetah surprising its prey, killing it and feasting on it.
Watching zebras and their sometimes quirky behavior was interesting to me. There was the viewing of the lion with one eye with his lioness companion. I enjoyed hanging out with elephants at a watering hole; admiring giraffes both in the wild and at a nature conservation education center; watching an olive baboon nursing her young; and observing playful vervet monkeys at Lake Nakuru National Park…
…and let us not forget the different varieties of birds which I spotted while on safari in Kenya.
There are more photographs of different animals on deck from that safari to be highlighted in future articles — including but not limited to hippopotami, rhinoceroses and buffalo.
Please stay tuned…
All photographs ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
