July 14th - 27th

With each of our adventures into to the 7500 hectare expanse of Il Ngwesi, our progress reassures us, and new opportunities reveal themselves to us. From the 11th of July onward to the 17th, we were back in the home of these peoples of the wildlife in an attempt to capture the intimate relationship between man and nature, and that unspoken bond between where homage and respect are paid. The wild but gentle Maasai nature continues to unveil itself to us as our encounters with this magical tribe become more personal, beginning this time with the finalization of the formal agreement between Apo Calypso Productions and the leadership of Il Ngwesi. Here aid with logistics and permission to film anything that we see appropriate, as pertaining to the documentary, were granted to us under the understanding that showcasing these people will provide an accurate world view of the Maasai. This crucial meeting solidifies our partnership with the community, and facilitates the obtainment of any footage that has proven difficult in past experiences.

On the same journey to the Il Ngwesi Lodge, where the meeting took place, we were surprised by the presence of a second filmmaker: Vincenzo Cadallo of the Cultural Video Foundation. After a brief and informal discussion regarding our work and our purpose, he offered to contribute any help required with resources and networking to make this project a success. These two partnerships were but the preemption of a 6-day onslaught of over 15 hours of footage, which puts us at precisely 47 total hours.

We were able to witness the man to nature interaction that is constantly taking place in Il Ngwesi, and the celebration thereof through song and dance, by a group of nearly 30 Moran's and women: enough chanting to keep the elephants away. Also, during one of our in-vehicle journeys, we were priviledged by the presence of 5 Moran's belting out their ancient songs as the vast landscape of the Rift Valley flew by. To share in this celebration was no doubt and honor as always, for which both us and the camera are grateful.

Meanwhile, as the team were breaking down camp and preparing a trip to the coastal island of Lamu, Cameron was back in Toronto on his computer cataloging images, drafting proposals, and hunting for a place for the soon-approaching second phase of this endeavor: post-production. Via phone he was receiving the vital updates regarding the debriefing session that took place between the 18th and 19th on Lamu. Here the detailed description of the model for future use on future projects of the process, groundwork, values and approaches, questions to be asked, storyline, budget, and shooting method for this entire venture were discussed, as well as plans and shot lists for the next stint, to take place between the 28th of July and the 14th of August. Javid will be travelling solo on this mission as Max's departure on the 22nd has regrettably approached and passed. Upon his arrival in Washington D.C., Max will begin to outline a more concrete conceptualization of the overall story and structure of this film, as well as familiarize himself with the software that will be necessary for when the three regroup for editing on the 26th of August. He will be in co-ordination with Cam back in Toronto, as the designing of a template for a website and the raising of funding for post-production are now underway.

Fortunately, in Max's absence, Javid will be accompanied by a new crewmember. He will be taking the time to mentor a Maasai from the community in the art of filmmaking with hopes of furthering the documentation of Il Ngwesi. This will be one of the many footprints that Apo Calypso will leave behind for the community when we are forced to depart.

Javid and this yet to be identified apprentice will be shooting the following:
- The Myth of Il Ngwesi, as told by a Moisay
- Lion tracking with the head guide at Lewa Conservancy
- Close-up shots of animals yet to be obtained
- 10-day on-foot herding trek
- As well as the bringing of one Moran and one woman to B Ware Recording Studios

Onward and Upward,
Apo Calypso Prductions

July 1st - July 13th

Once again the Apo Calypso team is back with our most recent updates. After working on the 1st and 2nd on gathering amazing animal footage and on obtaining permission to film the Moran's graduation ceremony at the Makurian boma , we were optimistic on our way there on the 3rd. However, we were disappointed to learn that this permission was not to be granted upon our arrival, understandably due to the importance of the ceremony remaining as true to its traditions as possible. Nonetheless, Apo Calypso has been informed of a number of the same ceromonies taking place in the month of August, as well as a circumcision ceremony next week in the same Makurian community boma, to which we have been invited.

Following our visit, we returned back to Nanyuki on the 4th and said our final goodbyes to Heather Ramsey, who was to head back to Nairobi for her flight the next morning. Although she was dissapointed to leave, she clearly enjoyed the two-weeks stay which she was fortunate enough to spend with such a special community. She will be helping us build the architecture and groundworkings of Apo Calypso, the non-for-profit productions organisation, upon our return to Toronto.

Back in Nanyuki, the collection of 3000+ photos taken thus far were being copied and duplicated for Cameron, who was leaving on the morning of the 7th, to take back to Toronto. Although he will no longer be with the rest of the team in Kenya, he will be busy applying for grants, compiling contact lists, a photo album, mastering sound recording, and writing his first-hand account of his voyage and submersion into the Maasai culture, and his reemersion back into the 'west' thereafter. Also: the Apo Calypso story.
So the team travelled to Nairobi to say their Kwaheri's and were soon after to be found in the streets of Nairobi and the slums of Kibera, gathering incredible city footage to emphasize the contrast between the Maasai' and the rest of Kenya's way and state of living.


We had a very successful meeting with the Nairobi production company Vivid Features, (where most of Kenya's media equipment is sought out for) where we were granted access to Final Cut editing software, as well as a professional DAT recorder. The latter will be added to the collection of new and improved sound equipment we have gathered, courtesy of BWare studios, who have offered their help with equipment as well as plain experience.

Now we are heading back out to Il Ngwesi, in hopes of fullfilling a specific shot and sound list for the upcoming 5 days, where a meeting with the community leaders, regarding permission for the film's title, will also be orchestrated. We have 23 hours of film to be shot by July 18th, whereupon we will continue to search for simba and also a more indepth shooting of the provider, Mount Kenya.

P.S. The goat, Buanafiki, is happy and hungry.

June 21st - July 1st

The Apo Calypso team is busy making arrangements for the days to come, however let us give a brief update on the previous 10 days.

The 21st and 22nd were spent in Nanyuki preparing for the touchdown of Heather Ramsey on the 24th and deciding how best to spend her 12-day visit here in Kenya. Due to a number of illnesses in the team, we had been forced to keep our energy exertion to a minimum for these two days.

Having recovered, on the afternoon of the 23rd we set out to Nairobi for a nights stay on account of Heather's early arrival the following morning. Unfortunately, our meeting with Senator Joseph Lekuton fell through, partially as a result of his obvious preoccupation with the newly formed coalition government. Nonetheless, on the 24th we were back on our feet and ready to partake on our next adventure.

We picked up Heather, got a bite to eat, and before we knew it were returning to Nanyuki to charge batteries and pick up the necessary groceries and supplies for our departure that afternoon. Our destination: back to the community boma for an in-depth look at the Maasai woman' and Moran's day-to-day work for the community. In Heather's words, this is not simply a car ride, but rather a trip back through a seemingly 15, 000 year time period.

We obtained some beautiful shots of the flowing river of Ngare Ndare and arrive that evening just in time to set-up camp and record a marvelous sunset through the floating Acacias and behind the rocky ridges of Il Ngwesi.

Having awoken to the calling of the eastward Sun, the team was well-rested and prepared for a few days of extensive work. On the 25th alone, we managed to capture a full 6-hours of footage, which included:

- the birds and trees of the rift valley
- women beading a nourishing their children
- the different stages of the boma throughout its construction and inhabitance
- woman constructing fence from branches
- a goat slaughter with 20 Moran warriors
- Moran jewellery/adornments
- the Maasai flute
- and another beautiful sunset

While this was all being filmed, Javid was meeting elsewhere with the elders of Il Ngwesi, the go-to men for everything in that community. Fortunately enough, the meeting went off without a hitch, and luckily the elders of two other communities, Amboseli and the Masai Mara were present. These two contacts, particularly in the Mara, will indeed play a useful role in the weeks to come.

On the 26th, we were allowed the chance to capture more of the life of a Maasai woman. We gathered footage of group song and dance, the sweeping of the boma, the building of fire, breast-feeding, and the vital retrieval of water. The woman's responsibility over the rest of the community is never underestimated on any of its members' behalf.


The next day we returned briefly to Nanyuki for a photo off-load, battery charge, and restocking of food for our next destination.

We then head off to what is the biggest sporting event, not to mention the finest example of the commercialization of nature, in Kenya. The Safaricom Marathon in Lewa Downs Conservancy is one of the top ten most difficult terrains on the world circuit, and Apo Calypso was in the press lines capturing the sunrise stampede on the 28th of feet (some with shoes, others without) through the Rift Valley. Inspiring landscapes bore the name 'Safaricom' where all eyes could see, an unmistakable conflict for the Maasai culture, attributed to the rise in commercial interest in what was once Maasai territory.


Having experienced and captured nature in a considerably different fashion than our previous encounters, we have returned to Nanyuki for Canada Day and will be back in the bush tomorrow.

We have received news of a massive graduation ceremony and celebration for the older Moran's in the Makurian community boma beginning on the morning of the 4th until the evening of the 5th, throughout which 1,000 Maasai visitors and 10 bull slaughters will be expected. We have been invited, and are awaiting news on what the elders will expect from us in order to film the procession.

NEXT DESTINATIONS:
- Sweet water
- Chumvi
- Nadungoro
- Makurian
- Mount Kenya helicopter flight
- Nairobi
- Masai Mara

June 21st

Due to a shortage in available time before the arrival of Heather Ramsey, Apo Calypso has postponed its visit to Samburu until after her departure on the fifth of July. Following our Nairobi meetings on the 23rd, the team should have a better arrangement as far as Mount Kenya, the Masai Mara and wildebeest migration are concerned. Tomorrow, however, we are arranging for a potential encounter with lions, an essential member and component of Maasai culture, at the Sweetwater game reserve, in hopes of capturing as up-close shots of simba as possible.

On the 24th, following Heather's landing in Nairobi, we will be trekking back to Il Ngwesi for the 10-day entirety of her stay after a brief stop in Nanyuki for last-minute supplies. On this stint, we plan on diving even deeper into the beliefs and spiritual practices of Maasai culture, particularly those pertaining to rites of passage.

On the 28th, the team will be relocating its camp for two days to the Lewa Downs Conservancy for its 8th annual Safaricom Marathon, one of the top-ten most difficult terrains on the world-circuit. Footage of this event, if not put towards the documentary itself, may be used in acquiring further funding to be put towards a website and other future endeavours under Apo Calypso's newly registered name.

Apo Calypso continues to be optimistic about forthcoming opportunities and are in no sense perturbed by the slight adjustment in Samburu plans. Internet will likely be unavailable to us until the 4th of July, so we shall update you then.

Onward and Upward,
Apo Calypso Productions

June 8th - June 16th

Apo Calypso has wasted no time in submerging itself back into the wilderness. On the 9th, we revisited the Lewa Downs Conservancy in an attempt to capture some of the wildlife missed on our first time around. We arrived in Kamanjo, our camp site, that evening and on the following morning, we took the camera out on a walk through the bush, and a hike up the rock cliffs.


On the 10th, we returned to Nanyuki to begin preparations for a three-day stint in the Lower Sanga community Manyatta, a district in central Il Ngwesi where the people live in an utmost traditional fashion. The elders granted us permission to set up camp within the Manyatta, their communal home and village, and it wasn't long before the opportunity to collect footage arose, as with their help we were able to orchestrate a full-day of Moran chants and dances. The complexity of their songs can at times be entrancing, especially as more members are added to their indigenous choir. Even at nighttime, the sound of a mother singing to her crying child is one that resonates deep within. The sound that we have managed to capture thus far, will play a key role in the Maasai experience that Apo Calypso hopes to achieve.

The Moran's are a fierce group. They stand together hand-in-hand, seemingly impenetrable. Meanwhile, their glance are razor sharp and would be intimidating to most, to say the least. These are the protector's of the community, armed with spears and arungus, who would surely sacrifice themselves for their tribe and their herd.

We continue to be pleased with our overall progress, our footage, which now exceeds a total of 20 hours, and audio quality.

Shots we have thus far include:
- The Rolling hills of the plains Savannah
- The True Safari Drive
- The Base of the Rift Valley
- Mount Kenya
- The Skyline / Clouds / Sunset / Moon
- The Trees (Acacia & Zufobia)
- Wildlife
- Turtle, Lizard, Zebra, Elephant, White Rhino, Buffalo, Water Buck, Thompson Gazelles, Baboons, Giraffe, Camels, Birds, Annex, Cattle and Goat
- Interviews with 6 Maasai Elders
- Elders herding and meeting
- Goat Slaughter
- Moran Chants and Dances
- The Morijo and Kiyaa's Manyatta / Boma
- Children playing
- Women
- Beadwork
- Daily chores
- Boma building

Locations we have visited within Il Ngwesi are:
- Leparua (2 nights at Kenyaga boma)
- Makurian community Manyatta (1 night)
- Sanga community Manyatta (3 nights)
- Chumvi
- Ngare Ndare
- Munyangalo
- Ethi
- Lewa Downs
- Borana Ranch
- Nadungoro
- Dol Dol
- Sieku
- Kamanjo (1 Night)
- Isiolo



In the following 10 days, we hope to visit the Samburu region and potentially Mount Kenya, depending on the clouds. On the 24th, however, the team must return to Nairobi for the arrival of Heather Ramsey, President of Upstream Wealth, who is coming to check out our operation with hopes of offering her help in building Apo Calypso's sustainable organization. Meetings with the Executive Director of Sunrise, based out of Toronto, as well as Michael Joseph, CEO of Safaricom in Kenya are being arranged in hopes of receiving possible funding. Another meeting with Joseph Lekuton, a Maasai member of parliament, is in the midst of being arranged for the purpose of obtaining connections within the Masai Mara, before we head in that direction. We will be returning to the field on the 18th.

Until Next Time,
Your friends at Apo Calypso Productions

June 1st - June 7th

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.

Nairobi - Nanyuki (May 26 - May 31)

Since landing in Nairobi, our time has been predominantly spent on the facilitation aspects of transportation, accommodation, and preparation of equipment. All necessary visual and audio gear has been obtained as well as an apartment in Nanyuki, a town at the base of Mount Kenya, to serve as an operations base for the forthcoming months. So far no major setbacks have compromised our planning and budgeting, and we all look forward to making our way into the Il Ngwesi community today. For the next five days, both phone and internet will be inaccessible to us as we travel into the wilderness.

Our first priority is to arrange a meeting with the elders of Il Ngwesi to discuss their and our roles in the documentation of their community in an attempt to foster mutual understanding and respect. This will be the key to unlocking the doors of any hesitations on the community as a wholes behalf. In-depth documentation will commence today.

Kenya has undergone drastic changes in the aftermath of the post-election violence outbreaks and has been seemingly discouraged about their future. Both Javid and I had the opportunity to briefly visit some of the wreckage in the slums of Kibera, where spray-painted walls are demanding for peace. More riots are expected to come.


On another note, we have learned through a contact that the first fiber-optic cables in Kenya are due to arrive from Dubai within the next three months. These cables will connect the entirety of Africa to a global network of information at speeds as never before. I wonder what type of role this will play in international and online business, as well as Africa as a whole. The wealth of information that will be made accessible to people on this continent will surely spur change on a grand scale.

Until next time,
Cameron Boatman,
A representative of Apo Calypso Productions