Happy birthday Lemayian. You are now 2 years of age! We love you son.
A LITTLE MAASAI COWBOY IN BAGARMOSSEN IS TURNING 2 YEARS TODAY. LEMAYIAN OBAMA OLE NGAIS WAS BORN ON OCTOBER 29TH 2007 EXACTLY 08:13 AT SOUTH HOSPITAL IN STOCKHOLM SWEDEN.
Lemayian should count himself among the luckiest ones to be born in the save environs of a modern hospital.
His elder brother Memusi was born in a typical Maasai Manyatta with my mother Sokoyian Memusi Ngais Snr. as his midwife! She is a very qualified Traditional Birth Attendant-TBA). His father (writer) was a lucky one too; Saidimu was born in Thika Hospital in Nairobi (residential area Kalimoni) Otherwise the surviving 9 of the 14 siblings were all born in the countryside. For us, the probability of survival was at that ration. Some families are not that lucky though.
In this era of HIV/AIDS, Sokoyian and other TBAs risk their lives to help mothers in the region without all modern medical equipment including pain relief medications. Nevertheless child mortality rate is lower today than yester years. I have seen mothers loosing babies to simple complications not to mention the pain and suffering they go through pre and post birth in case of complications. The situation would have been worse without TBAs in the area. Thank you TBA Mamas for the contribution and the risks you all take.
This is the reason we must build a hospital in every sub-location in the marginalized Maasai regions as our priority number one. Good health is certain wealth.
The picture taken by his uncle Paraga Ole Ngais below depicts Lemayian (Mayian) taking care of his father’s cows in Sweden.
We belief as a tribal people (Indigenous) that all the cows in the world belongs to us! This belief is based on our story of origin. The World is n intertwined with all living creatures in need of each other for survival.
The Maasai originated from the Rift valley with their cows. Ever since then, all other ethnic groups and races of the world come to us to borrow a cow or so for blood, milk, hides and for other ceremonial activities. The Maasai can always take back their cows when they feel like but sharing is a must among the Maasai as a means to strengthen the social welfare system.
Nevertheless, the Maasai are finding it difficult to live within their indigenous welfare system because of globalization hence a people on transit. The myth that cows only belongs to the majestic warrior people of East Africa is now nothing more than, yes, just a myth!
Thus, instead of organizing a cattle raid in Stockholm, to bring back all my fathers’ cows for my son during this second birthday, the change is forcing me to compromise in some areas.
As a global citizen, I have equal right to own every single part of this globe and share it with my fellow living species without any discrimination whatsoever. Guided by my Socialist democratic Ideology as I say, from all according to their ability, to all according to their need!
With this in mind, I take the liberty to announce that my Lemayian, partly owns the cows you normally see in Skansen including all the goats kept in those small boxes. Together with the Swedish King they must both promise to upgrade and respect the rights of those animals in accordance to the Maasai customary laws. On a Maasai point of view, animals gives us food and in turn, they must be fully respect and taken care of by human beings.
Unfortunately, the people of the word aren’t always nice to our animals. Human beings have taken for granted that they own the right to mistreat other species. For instance, man mistreats our cows, keep them in very harsh conditions, disrespect them and expose them to torture before slaughter. The heart of a Maasai cannot take this. I’m close to becoming a vegetarian just as Paraga after watching the movie Earthlings on youtube!
It’s not only the red cloths (Irkarash) that make a Maasai a Maasai. Other characteristics like language, moral principles, ceremonial activities including name ceremonies are significant. Cows are a necessity too, if one has to maintain their Maasaihood identity! During the first birthday’s celebration, (Maasai celebrate birthdays only once) the Maasai children are given presents inform of domestic food animals.
Every family member of relative, friend or any other person who wants to be friendly to the family, comes with a present, which will then be presented, to the child and the giver and the receiver shall since then call each other by the name of the present given.
For example, today, my little brother Paraga gave Lemayian a heifer. From today henceforth, Paraga and Lemayian calls each other by the name (naashe or enkashe-ai also kanshe-ai. My Heifer)
Like modern Maasai people, we drop cattle raids. In fact we even own virtual cows nowadays. I don’t keep stock at home; and that doesn’t make me a hunter and gather either. You can live in Maasailand and own cows in Stockholm.
Visit Arla homepage and take back your cows Lomuran kulo o Siankikin kuna.
Even warriors of Samburu, Pokot Somali and Irmuran oo murata nkochuaa of the great Turkana people of Kenya can venture into this modern cattle ownership business instead of raiding cattle from their neighbors causing havoc and destruction for all.
Today, Lemayian wakes up in the morning as a proud owner of the Swedish King’s cow’s garden in Stockholm.
Happy Birthday to you Son!
Best wishes from your family, relatives and friends.
Saidimu Ole Ngais.
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- Kenya: A safari open to the African elements (telegraph.co.uk)
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- Village Visit – Sekanani, Rift Valley, Kenya (travelpod.com)
- Maasai Walk – Sekanani, Rift Valley, Kenya (travelpod.com)
- Maasai bling (bbc.co.uk)
- incredible.absolutely incredible – Nairobi, Kenya (travelpod.com)
