For the last two days, we have been staying in a boma belonging to one of the chiefs of Oloika. The boma was big compared to other bomas, containing over 5 enkaji (small houses) and many goats, sheep, donkeys, and cows. We started off the day by herding the sheep to the watering hole, then walking for a couple of hours to the hot springs. Although the water was surprisingly hot, our translator dove right in. Later in the day we played card games with the children and multiple wives. They taught us many Masai songs and dances which were very physically draining, leaving us exhausted. We milked the goats which turned to be very challenging. The family then gave us Masai names: Bridget received the name- Namonyak, meaning blessed; Suzanna received the name- Naserian, meaning peaceful; and Marianna received the name- Nosim, meaning friendly. We exchanged gifts and received some necklaces. Marianna was specially honored and received a goat. (HI Marianna signing on here. . .hi mom. . .I had my Flip camera with me and the children really enjoyed watching videos of themselves singing and dancing. A lovely black and white goat is now named Nosim after me. I will be receiving email updates on Nosim the Goat’s health and happiness from Rose, one of the older children in the boma. If I ever return to Oloika, I have the option of bringing Nosim the Goat back to the states with me! So. . .whaddya think mom? A goat in the house might not be too bad of an idea. . .). The overall experience was interesting but we are happy to be back at the camp with everyone. We miss you all and can’t wait to get home soon and eat cold things.

Love,
Suzanna Rosemary Jane Hamer
Bridget Fennessy Bousa

Featuring: Marianna Cydni Gailus

P.S. Carbolo says hi.


Happy Sunday!
Today we worked for a bit in the morning and then left the site to go to church. Our group split in half, and half of us went to a Catholic church and the other half went to a Protestant church. I went to the Protestant church, which was a pretty intense experience for us. The building itself had tin walls and a tin roof held together with wooden beams. There was no “altar” in the conventional sense; the pastor sat in the front with a sort of podium and a piece of golden Christmas-Tree garland was wrapped around a beam in the front. There were no crosses and only two bibles – one for the pastor and one for the 8th grade boy who was translating the service into English for us. The service started with a few songs in a call-and-response-type manner. The congregation was small but their voices were surprisingly strong. They jumped up and down in a circle and clapped to the music. There was no instrument except a single drum. The word for “song” in Maa is the same as the word “dance,” so the two are naturally connected – to separate the two is somehow unthinkable. The pastor and the 8th grade boy gave a “sermon,” which was oddly emotional for a lot of us. They held an offering and ended with a few more songs, and then we went outside to the receiving line and we shook hands with every member of the congregation. In part of the sermon, they talked about giving freely of what you have. They said that doing so will show your blessing on the people to whom you are giving. So in the receiving line, the women gave us jewelry off of their bodies – necklaces, earrings, bracelets, all beautiful pieces of beaded jewelry.
We left the church with one of those “whoa” feelings. Each of us went through something on a personal level, and to group those ideas together is unfair – I won’t even try. As the days go by, we are peeling away layers of misconception and adding information and opinions about this Maasai culture. Sometimes we’re shocked, sometimes we’re touched, and sometimes we just smile and dance. We are trying to process this as a group, but it will be a long process. When we add in the “service” part, the “leadership” part, the part where in less than two weeks we have to leave, the gray area grows and grows. Going to church here, an act so familiar to so many of us at home, sort of tied together a few different things for us. But right now, it’s mostly just, “whoa.”

Liz