Reading The White Masai several years ago, I was fascinated by the author’s decision to marry a Masai man. It required her to leave Germany and acclimate to his culture and day-to-day life. Honestly, at the time, I questioned her sanity.
And then I met Daniel.
Daniel is the best wildlife spotter I’ve ever worked with during the 21 years I led safaris to Africa. I envy the way he reads the land, a lived language not of books and classrooms. The way he becomes the animal, tuning into their behavior, a wordless understanding. Something shared with a close sibling, or soul mate.
From miles away, with naked eyes, he sees a cheetah, “there, walking”, he says, laughing at my futile attempts to spot the cat with my binoculars.
Daniel doesn’t like my flip-flops, “the thorns will push right through the bottoms,” he says. His sandals, made from old rubber tires, are the only shoes he’s worn for the past seven years. “They will last another seven,” he tells me. The ultimate minimalist.
I can imagine myself as the White Masai.
Of all the indigenous tribes in the world, the Masai have a reputation for holding onto their culture despite the government’s desire to change them. I imagine my days spent as a white Masai woman. My daily tasks focused on necessities: tending children, collecting water, hanging with friends. Beading jewelry for Daniel. Living without TVs, computers, and appliances. My days spent outside, my nights lit by firelight.
Lion Killing Ritual
I point to a scar the length of Daniel’s arm. As initiation into warrior status, he and his peers were sent to the bush for three years. During that time, he killed a lion that had taken some of his father’s cows. The story made me sad for the big cat, and disappointed in Daniel until he told me about a ritual song performed after killing a lion.
“Will you sing it for me?”
What happened next was hauntingly beautiful. You can listen to Daniel singing the song here: Listen to Daniel Sing the Lion Warrior Song
I show Daniel photos of America, and he tells me he has no interest in going there. “Eight-lane roads and tall buildings,” is how he describes my country.
I’m drawn to Daniel. It’s a soul attraction. A connection to the side of me that is forever intimately tied to the natural world. The side of me that never wants to forget how connected I am to wildness. I no longer question the decision of the author of The White Masai to exchange her world for theirs (although spoiler alert – it didn’t work out).
**(Daniel and my desire to become a White Masai is more fully explored in my upcoming book. Subscribe to this site if you want to hear from me when the book is released.)
16 Replies to “Becoming The White Masai”
Comments are closed.
Good folks come in all colors
Good folks come from all cultures
Good wild beast eat Trump…. Yes
hm, Lori seems like you conduct the most fun Safari trips and the same time reconnecting with the earth and nature as well as the local culture.
Loved seeing your beautiful face again. Have missed reading about your safari adventures in Africa. I still remember them vividly. Happiness and good health to you always.
I love Maasai people they are such proud people and they respect the land because there life depends on the land.I have been there many times. I wish you all the happiness. I got seal boots made by hand and old rubber from tires and I have the boots for 15 year and wear them when I go to Africa on photography assignments.
How wonderful that you are so connected to Africa. I love the bit about your boots. Maybe one day we can meet each other there. That would be fun. Thanks so much for commenting and being a part of the tribe at SavingWild. All the best, Lori
So nice to hear from you Nancy. I hope one day you can join me on safari! Lots of love, Lori
Thanks Joseph. That is certainly the goal of my safaris – to immerse ourselves in the magic of Africa: its wildlife, land and people.My safaris are about connecting to the animals rather than just going down the check list of what we see. I demonstrate ways to be with the animals so that my groups have close encounters that are very special. We also visit people doing wonderful conservation work so that there is a deeper understanding of how this all works.
Exactly. Thanks so much for commenting Gary.
Hey there Lori!
This is a ‘holy cow’ of a story you have found
to share! My mind hasn’t begun the journey to
wrap itself around what the German woman has
committed to giving up for love. Although it
sounds like she does not see it that way, too
much. Thank you so much for bringing this to
us! I didn’t even read your entire email yet, as I
was excited to say “WOW UBER BEAUTIFUL
STORY LORI, THANK YOU!”
The safari sounds great and seeing wild animals but why do you drink blood?
Hi Barbara, I do not drink blood but the Maasai do. They worship their cows and take blood from their necks (without killing them) as one of their main sources of food. They kill a cow or goat every once in a while for food and use every part of the animal. Does that answer your question? Thanks for commenting.
Yes! I love this story. Plus I was there??? I think another reason for the attraction is because the Maasai people are so open and loving. It’s feels easy/natural to love when there are no walls or barriers protecting themselves. The chief said, “Ask us anything.” I fell for the young woman who brought me out to dance with her as she held my hand. And Anna at the airstrip market. She brought tears to my eyes with her generosity and friendship. She said we are friends now cause I wanted a picture with her, then she gave me a bracelet. I was so touched with her love. And her step son Wilson who helped us communicate / translate for me, then helped us load our bags when the plane arrived. He was so kind. He wanted to go play soccer in Nairobi but didn’t know how he would get there. I hope he made it…and Eunice, and Boniface and Elijah and…
BEAUTIFUL blog LR – so much love/all heart!!!! ???????
Thanks so much. My heart is full having just come back from leading 2 back to back safaris in Africa for a month. So glad you were on one of those.
Yes Angie, I was fortunate to be witness to your heart opening with each of these people you mention. I hope you will carry that openness back into your ‘normal’ world so that we can all live more from our hearts like the Maasai. Thanks for sharing your experiences here for others to feel.
Oh Jacqueline thank you so much for your wonderful comments. You have touched me very much.
LvL