Dance Off with the Maasai

Our group has packed an unbelievable amount of experiences into the first week in Africa-land.  After leaving Dar Es Salaam, we stopped by Maasai country for a traditional warrior dancing ceremony and some tasty food in the village of Changa Likwa.  Last years group did a few installations in the area and we planned to evaluate their systems.  Thus far, my favorite Tanzanian experience has been our stay in this traditional Maasai village. The Maasai way of life is both impressive and enticing.They adhere to a strict honor code that complies with other high discipline cultures throughout the world.  The village elders are revered and the village is maintained by the Morani warriors.These warriors are responsible for protecting the village, herding the cattle, and disciplining the children.  Also, the Morani facilitate the traditional "jump dancing" ceremonies that have made these people famous throughout the world.  These ceremonies are really just one big dance off where males try to impress the young females, pretty typical stuff.  In short, the male warriors form a circle and they all begin to create a rhythmical beat through monotone chanting.  Then the warriors take turns entering the circle to demonstrate their jumping skills individually or in competing pairs.  Once the ceremonies began, I immediately succumbed to my desire to partake in the most intense dance off I have ever experienced.  I was a little shy at first, but by the end of the night I was in full Morani attire and was continually pushed into the middle of the circle.  The experience was eerily similar to dance offs in the Wake Forest locker room.  I must thank my sister, Chelsey, for recommending that I bring colored pencils for the children.  Before we left, the children all gave me completed drawings and thank you cards for our work.  I have included a picture of them handing me the drawings.  

The following day I said bye to my new Maasai friends and we set off for Iringa to complete several installations and evaluations.  On the way, we were provided with a free half-day safari courtesy of the Tanzanian government.  Although we saw lions, hippos, crocs, and elephants, I was disappointed in the zoo-like nature of the viewing.  The security of our land rover resulted in a false sense of domestication and a loss of excitement.  Nonetheless, it was amazing to see those animals in their natural habitat.  I have included some pictures of the safari and a picture of me doing a gainer into a fresh water mountain lake that we stopped to cool off in.  I am still curious about what kind of creatures I may have been swimming with.  The last stop before our current residence in Iringa was a large school and dispensary 30 minutes outside of Iringa, where we set a new Solar Hope record of 3 installations in one day.  It was amazing to see how happy the children were to have light.  We installed to systems on an elementary school and one installation on a high school.  The hard work was immediately rewarded as Children rushed the light to begin studying for an upcoming exam as soon as we finished.  I have included a few pictures of the days work.  Thanks again for all the support and to those who helped me make this trip possible.