So much research and hard work goes into a project like this, because of that also comes disappointments. By talking to the local people and trying to capture an understanding of the way of life here in Kenya, we learn. Today a local who didn’t understand our concept and took us for tourists misinterpreted us. We only realized this once he took us into a “traditional tribal village.” He was making lots of phone calls in the car on the way to the village and we only realized why when we arrived and were asked to pay a village fee of $60. In the backdrop were exquisitely dressed Borana women ready to sing us a welcoming song and entertain us with dance. It was like theatre in the wild. It made us both feel uncomfortable. Is this what tourism has done to tribal history in Kenya? After deeper conversations and understanding of the people they admitted that this was their only way of survival. They had crossed the border of Ethiopia to settle here in Kenya. Families travelled thousands of kilometers barefoot with herds of camels, cattle and goats to find better pastures and a better way of life. These Borana people lost everything; all they have left now is the memories of their lost tradition that they now put on show for passing tourists.
Samburu: Joseph then took us into real Samburu land. He understood our concept and took us into raw land, virgin territory for Mzungu (white) people The Samburu culture remains extremely traditional and their bonded heritage remains strong. There is more to come on this tribe…
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