MWEP: May 2008

If you would like to contribute to the projects proposed to help the Masai Women in Marimbeti, please email

ecolina@aol.com

or send donations to:

Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission Fund
Ed Colina Africa Projects
5876 Veterans Way
Burlington, KY 41005

and forward any questions or ideas for funding.
Thank you. MWEP

MASAI BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

The Masai tribe is one among the forty-two tribes in Kenya. The original Masai homeland is the Rift Valley Province, one of the eight provinces in Kenya. The Rift Valley, in addition to providing grasslands for herding, has very fertile soil and a climate favorable for farming. As a result, many farming tribes have migrated to the Rift Valley to farm. This helps to explain why various other tribes crowd the Masai lands and the Masai have been forced to stray from the Rift Valley for other grasslands.

The Masai were and continue to be livestock herders, herding the indigenous cows, goats and sheep. A true Masai man is recognized in the community for the number of cows, goats and sheep in his herd. With the occupation of their grazing lands by other tribes and possessing large herds of cows, the Masai have had to devise other strategies and find other locations from which to feed their animals. This necessitates nomadic movement from place to place in search of green pastures and water for their livestock. It is the men who move with the livestock from location to location, leaving the women and children to struggle on their own.

The Masai is a tribe that has attempted to remain true to its culture. The Masai do not believe that aspects of the culture are dynamic or ever-changing. They have remained resistant to change and have not been participatory in an evolving civilization and culture.

Donate To Marimbeti Project

2 Early Childhood Classrooms

Child Feeding Program

Where Is Marimbeti?

Masai Woman

MASAI BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

Nursery "School"

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