In light of the objectives to accomplish over the course of our stay in Kenya, the past week has brought us much reassurance and progress. Despite a few ruts in our approach of portraying the Maasai in their purest forms, our perseverance has illicit a much more concrete sense of where we are going and how we are going to get there, both literally and as far as this project as a whole is concerned.
This week we were able to successfully capture the wildlife of Lewa Downs Conservancy, and were welcomed into the boma of Goyma Kinyaga, a Maasai living with his brothers, wives, children, and father in Il Ngwesi. By demonstrating our willingness to learn from Goyma and his family, we were able to orchestrate a meeting and discussion on the very night of our arrival with the elders of the community. We had the privilege of being granted full permission to record: dialogue with the elders, Goyma, and a Moran warrior regarding the importance of conservation, preservation, and culture; goat herding; boma paving; and also a number of myths and stories as told through the elders.
We stayed with Goyma for two days and left on the third to the Maasai community Minyatta of Makurian. While we had been prohibited use of cameras, the experience nevertheless proved useful in our, specifically Max and I's, exposure to the Maasai culture. Immediately upon our arrival, the co-dependent way of living to which the Maasai adhere to was omnipresent. The respect shown from one to another was especially striking, as well as their ability to laugh and enjoy themselves. Creating an environment where the Maasai feel comfortable enough to enact these cultural aspects on film will be a major obstacle to climb in the approaching future.
Upon our arrival back in Nanyuki on June 4th, we were disappointed to find that our desired apartment still was not vacant. We have however found and moved into an enclosed compound where we have a house and room for the latest addition to our team, a young goat. He will serve useful as a gift to the Maasai in Il Ngwesi, particularly the Morans, in order to overcome any discomfort on their behalf with the use of cameras.
On the 6th we made a brief visit to Doldol, a small Maasai township where the shrubs grow thick, the soil seeps red, and the rocks stand tall to acquire some more footage. After having reviewed the entirety of our material, Apo Calypso is proud to have its name attached to the footage so-far obtained, and we are looking forward to forthcoming opportunities.
This week we were able to successfully capture the wildlife of Lewa Downs Conservancy, and were welcomed into the boma of Goyma Kinyaga, a Maasai living with his brothers, wives, children, and father in Il Ngwesi. By demonstrating our willingness to learn from Goyma and his family, we were able to orchestrate a meeting and discussion on the very night of our arrival with the elders of the community. We had the privilege of being granted full permission to record: dialogue with the elders, Goyma, and a Moran warrior regarding the importance of conservation, preservation, and culture; goat herding; boma paving; and also a number of myths and stories as told through the elders.
We stayed with Goyma for two days and left on the third to the Maasai community Minyatta of Makurian. While we had been prohibited use of cameras, the experience nevertheless proved useful in our, specifically Max and I's, exposure to the Maasai culture. Immediately upon our arrival, the co-dependent way of living to which the Maasai adhere to was omnipresent. The respect shown from one to another was especially striking, as well as their ability to laugh and enjoy themselves. Creating an environment where the Maasai feel comfortable enough to enact these cultural aspects on film will be a major obstacle to climb in the approaching future.
Upon our arrival back in Nanyuki on June 4th, we were disappointed to find that our desired apartment still was not vacant. We have however found and moved into an enclosed compound where we have a house and room for the latest addition to our team, a young goat. He will serve useful as a gift to the Maasai in Il Ngwesi, particularly the Morans, in order to overcome any discomfort on their behalf with the use of cameras.
On the 6th we made a brief visit to Doldol, a small Maasai township where the shrubs grow thick, the soil seeps red, and the rocks stand tall to acquire some more footage. After having reviewed the entirety of our material, Apo Calypso is proud to have its name attached to the footage so-far obtained, and we are looking forward to forthcoming opportunities.
No comments:
Post a Comment