Sopa! (Hello!)
Today was the
last day at the worksite. We finally finished the foundation for the library
with everyone putting in a lot of blood, sweat and tears, literally (don’t
worry though, everybody’s doing well!). The day ended with a celebratory
ceremony, where Shani, the chief and the treasurer of the Oloika Sub-location
spoke to the community about gratitude, the mixing of cultures and the future
of Shompole. Following the ceremony, we trekked to the ‘market’ where we bought
gifts to support the community. They were selling everything from machetes to
intricate bracelets, and with the help of Shani’s wife, Namelok, we bargained
for good prices on our gifts. Apparently there is a culture of bargaining in
Kenya, where it is expected that the buyer bargain with the seller before
buying the item. It was a great day!
On a different
note, yesterday was the last group of homestays. The entire homestay experience
was amazing! The kids sang/danced/jumped for hours and everyone in the ‘boma’,
or the homestead, were unfailingly polite and kind. We all had chai tea (which
was sugary and delicious) before eating a wonderful dinner of rice, cabbage and
potatoes. By eight o’ clock, the sun went down and the singing began. A lot of
the Maasai songs involve jumping, sometimes for several minutes, and also a lot
of clapping and call-and-response. We sang a few popular songs like Queen’s ‘We
Will Rock You’ and ‘Sunshine, You Are My Sunshine’. Ethan, Shaun and Mr.
Sanchez’s group were treated to stories under the stars and an impromptu rap
battle. Also, we had a translator all along, so we could ask any questions that
came up. In the center of the boma were many, many, many goats, sheep and in
some cases, even cows and donkeys. When morning came, we all got a chance to
milk goats, which was a very interesting experience. In most groups, either the
children or the elders of the boma gave us our Maasai names. We exchanged
gifts, thanked each other for the wonderful night we all had and headed back to
camp to journal about this intense experience.
Tomorrow, it’s
off to Maasai lodge, where we will rest before heading to the Mara.
‘Night.
Nashya (Karen)
and Malodjé (Maddy)
P.S. Karen’s
name means ‘Rain’, and that she’s productive and makes people happy.
P.P.S. Maddy is
not exactly sure that this was her Maasai name/the correct spelling of it but
it means ‘The Sacred One’.
P.P.S. from Mr. Clarke: we'll be back in Nairobi this evening and will be able to post some more photos.
