Sunset views of Kilimanjaro; elephants under Kilimanjaro Mountain

On our return to the Amboseli Lodge we enjoyed views of the plains under Mount Kilimanjaro.  A herd of elephants decided to cross the plain a little before sunset

 

The plains beneath Mount Kilimanjaro

Elephants crossing the plains with views of Kilimanjaro in the background

Views of this elephant just at sunset

elephants at sunset in Amboseli

More animals in the Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Below is a sampling of animals found in Amboseli

Thompson's gazelle

zebras

More zebras grazing on the plains in Amboseli

Another huge elephant herd

Gray crowned cranes

"Old Tuskers" elephants at Amboseli

Poaching is really a horrible problem in Kenya and Tanzania.  The "old tuskers" in Amboseli are a real jewel.  The park rangers and the anti-poaching units expend a lot of effort to protect these giants.

 

Old Tuskers with giant tusks are one of the famed attributes of Amboseli NP

His tusks are so large - they almost drag the ground as he walks

Reaching for acacia leaves

A crowd surrounds the herd as they cross the road

A Day in the Life of a Maasai Village: 9 The School

This is a well that donations has helped to install  -but it doesn't appear to be working

A view of the school.  Chief Joseph said it was a school holiday

We did not really get to see any school age children - our guide told us it was a holiday.

A Day in the Life of a Maasai Village: 9 The women and children

Chief Joseph talked to us about his progressive approach to help women in his village.  He told us he has added women to the governing council.  He also said he has made it mandatory for girls to go to school. 

 

Maasai society is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group.  The Maasai are also polygamist.  The first wife has senority.

 

The Maasai women carry their babies on their back wrapped in a cloth

This woman's jewelry was really amazing - She did not really want to pose for a photo

We brought 20 pounds of stuff for the village.  From school supplies to tooth brushes, etc.

We are presenting our presents to Chief Joseph.  He will distribute to the village

A Day in the Life of a Maasai Village: 8 Shopping for bead work and trinkets

The bead work made by the Maasai women is really amazing

This is a son and mother. 

One of our group brought a Santa hat for a photo for their Christmas card.  She traded it for beaded jewelry

Showing off my purchases - really cool pieces

A Day in the life of a Maasai Village: 7 The Jumping Dance -

A Maasai warrior doing the jump dance. They do a ceremony to mark the coming of age of young Maasai warriors. The jumping dance is also know as Adumu or Aigus, which means "to jump" in their native language. Notice the straight posture and how the heels rarely touch the ground.

This dance is how a Maasai warrior finds a mate, and the highest jumper gets the gals. It is also a show of strength and manhood.

Our friend Steve Champ joins in

A Day in the Life of a Maasai Village: 6 Dancing with the Maasai women

It was a lot of fun to dance with the Masai women

The woman is giving me a necklace

A Day in the Life of a Maasai Village: 5 Meeting the Women

The Maasai women come to meet us

The colorful women from the Maasai Tribe
 



Elaine is invited to dance with the Masai women
 

A Day in the Life of a Maasai Village: 4 Photos with the Warriors

Elaine with "Mesheni" a young Masai warrior

Mesheni shares his cloak which is called a "shuka"




Darrell and Moses having a laugh over Darrell's size

Darrell with Moses



Moses shoes - they are made from motorcycle tires and then decorated by the women

The Maasai peoples are pastoral nomads, living in the Serengeti Plains by Kenya and Uganda. Their wealth, livelihood, and religion all revolve around cattle.  The main garment worn by the Maasai is the shuka, which is a basic piece of fabric that can be worn in a variety of ways, depending on the personal style of the wearer.

Darrell and Elaine with Menshi.  Darrell holds the club