On Saturday, many of us took a bus to Ngong Hills to visit Simon's (an MSID coordinator) resort. We arrived in Ngong and rode on the back of pikipikis (motorcycles) to Savannah Sunset Resort, which was nestled into the hillside. The area was very dry but absolutely beautiful. We went hiking through the hills on Saturday and had drinks around the bonfire over night.
Carly and me
Winnie...
back down
On Sunday, we visited Simon's family in the valley where he grew up. Simon is from the Maasai tribe. We bought beautiful beaded jewelry from his moms, and they showed us around their compound.
Maasai are known for their beautiful beadwork
the gate to the compound
the watering hole
Before colonizers arrived in Kenya, the Maasai occupied the Rift Valley, Kenya's bread-basket. British settlers wanted the Maasai off the land, but the Maasai fought back. In 1904 and 1911, they were forced to sign a 100 year treaty giving the the land to the British settlers. The Maasai were displaced to the dry area of Ngong Hills, and lost many of their agricultural traditions. Kenya gained indepence in 1963 and now much of the land previously held by British settlers is owned by Kenya's political elite. In 2004, the Maasai peacefully marched into Nairobi to claim their land back. Police men were sent to "maintain the peace" but ended up killing and beating many of the Maasai. Kenya's political elite do not want to give up their fertile land. Many hope the Maasai will pursue their land again in 2011 to make a statement. (Prof. Muhamud Jama 9/19/11)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm spending mine in Mombasa on Africa's east coast!
