Each of the manyattas (villages) is represented by a particular color, evidenced in the predominant colors of their traditional clothing.
Maasai men and women are well known for their tradition of jumping in place during celebrations.
At important gatherings such as this, women sport their finest beaded adornments, which have consumed hours of their time to construct and demonstrate their dexterity, creativity, and wealth.
As shown by the predominant colors worn, this group of supporters is from a different manyatta than the ones in Images 0001-0003.
The larger the ear lobe, the more beautiful to the Maasai.
These young Maasai girls wear their most intricate, colorful beads in hopes of attracting a suitor amongst the morans.
This Maasai woman shields her infant under her clothes so as to protect it from the intense sun.
Lewis proudly poses in front of the grandstand where the medal ceremonies will be held later in the day.
I continue to be amazed at the creativity of the young Maasai men and their willingness to spend time on their personal adornments.
I never found out who this character is or what/who he represents. Nevertheless, he seemed comfortable in the environment and was very friendly.
It is the Maasai custom that upon reaching puberty, a girl’s head is shaved; she keeps it this way for the remainder of her life.
There are striking similarities in appearance between the Maasai and ancient Romans: togas, sandals, hairstyles, belts, scabbards, and swords.
The young warriors spend hours braiding their hair, sometimes adding strands of wool to make them longer, then dying it red with ocher.
Once a Maasai child reaches the age of 4 or 5, its two bottom middle teeth are extracted in order to easily feed the child if it becomes ill with tetanus and unable to open its mouth. Once the second set of these teeth appears, they are removed also. This is done for beauty’s sake.
This chap stood out, as does the fellow in Image 0014, as someone who is obviously comfortable with who is, but who is definitely not a model of the traditional Maasai male.
Not a care in the world!
The surprise rain shower at the end of the events does nothing to dampen the exuberance of the participants or their supporters.
L to R: Lewis & Barbara Hollweg; Dr. Maggie Essen (Educational Programs Manager, Chester Zoo, UK); Richard Bonham (Co-Founder of Big Life Foundation and recipient of 2014 Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa).