Maasi Life by Rylin Smith

After visiting Tarangire national park we drove a short distance to Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge where we were greated by Maasai with fresh mango juice and warm towels which was much needed after a dusty hot day in the park. This lodge is very special because it is run by the maasai and all the money made from guests stays within the local community. They explained one simple rule to us: after dark you must he accompanied by a maasai warrior when walking to and from your tent because the animals will walk all around the tents, including elephants, giraffs, hyenas and more. Next they showed us our tents and they were so nice! These aren't your average tents as they had big porches, huge comfortable beds, and amazing wood carved tubs. Mine was in the shape of a big bird with a beak that stretched to the floor.

For dinner we had a traditional Massai meal outside surrounded by a fence of thorny bushes and a big fire in the center. They served us goat leg that we could see roasting over the fire. Although I had never tried goat before I went outside of my comfort zone trying some and was pleasantly surprised as it was very delicious! After dinner we heard chanting and singing coming towards us that turned out to be the massai people gifting us with a traditional dance. The women wore beautiful beaded necklaces and traditional shukas tied around them and the men also wearing shukas carried a large staff. I felt honored to be watching such a sacrred performance and it was a "pinch me I'm dreaming" moment. Then they invited us up to dance with them and I couldn't pass up such a surreal moment. The women tied a shuka around me and placed their necklaces over my head. They showed me how to bounce my shoulders to make the necklaces move. Then one grabbed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile before walking me over and showing me how to tap my shoulder against one of the men's before walking back to the women's side and giving me a thumbs up and while continuing to sing. 

We danced for some time before finishing off with a march around the fire. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel so grateful to have had the chance to take part and learn a tradition from the Maasai people themselves. Learning a tradition from another culture is so valuable when learning how to be a better advocate for others and this experience taught me first hand how to jump in and learn for others despite a language barrier and coming from completely different environments- something that cannot be taught in a classroom. I will treasure the memory of dancing with the Maasai under the Tanzania sky for the rest of my life.     ///// Rylin Smith