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girls’ circumcision ceremony? and other Longido, Tanzania General Tips

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Longido General Tips by Bonobo2005

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Bonobo2005   


Real Name: Bo Nobo
Lives In: Singapore
Member Since: Sep 29, 2002
VT Rank: 133

 
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General Tips: girls’ circumcision ceremony?
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Longido - along the Arusha-Nairobi Road
  • along the Arusha-Nairobi Road
  • by Bonobo2005
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  • Fondest Memory: When I finally arrived in Longido – in the heat of the day- I followed the signs to the Guest House where the Cultural Tourism Program-office was based.

    A couple of young guys welcomed me, showed me a room and told me I was very lucky as I would be able to witness a girls’ circumcision ceremony in a nearby traditional Maasai boma (= a circle of huts, surrounded by a thick thorn bush fence). How exiting!

    So of course I agreed and after having an great lunch (together with 2 young British volunteers), prepared by a local woman, we –the local guide and me- took off.


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    General Tips: Walk through Maasai land
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Longido - my guide with some Maasai warriors
  • my guide with some Maasai warriors
  • by Bonobo2005
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  • Fondest Memory: During the 1,5 hr. hike on the dry plains of Maasai land at the foot of Mt. Longido, we encountered many friendly and helpful people, while the guide explained me the use of about every plant and bush.

    Some people were just resting under impressive trees like Baobab and Acacia while others just came back from town apparently enjoying the local brew!

    It’s amazing to learn how local vegetation -like aloe vera- in various mixes can offer the Maasai a whole range of medicine and other helpful products.

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    General Tips: getting ready for ceremony time
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Favorite Thing: When we arrived at the particular boma we were welcomed in an elder’s hut with fresh milk.

    We met the happy man –in his late 20’s- who’s future wife –a 14yo girl- just had been circumcised.
    It would take 2 months of recovery after which they could marry.


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    General Tips: dancing, chanting and jumping
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Longido - warriors upon arrival
  • warriors upon arrival
  • by Bonobo2005
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  • Fondest Memory: Not long after, the first group of warriors arrived, beautiful in line, spears in front, while singing and chanting.

    One by one they dashed their spears in the ground and formed half a circle. They didn’t use any instrument besides their voices but their songs –dealing with their prowess during cattle raids, encounters with predators or lion hunts- all sounded amazingly rhythmic and energetic.

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    General Tips: ...and jumping...and jumping...and....
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Fondest Memory: One by one or two by two the warriors stepped into the circle and jumped- as high as possible-continuing for hours.

    The jumping is done on the rhythm of the song or sound.


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    General Tips: young women making music
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Longido - Beautiful young Maasai women
  • Beautiful young Maasai women
  • by Bonobo2005
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  • Fondest Memory: Around the circle the young women gathered–in their finest dresses and their collars and necklaces were the most beautiful I ever saw.

    Rhythmically they flipped their huge necklaces by moving their upper bodies and heads making the hundreds of beads touching each other and producing a delicate sound.


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    General Tips: couldn’t believe this was really happening...
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  • Updated by Bonobo2005 on May 16, 2003
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  • Fondest Memory: In the course of that afternoon a second group of warriors paraded in –and also a third, all followed by young girls and started to make circles while singing their own heroic songs, chanting and jumping.

    The whole boma on the lower slopes of 2690m high Mt. Longido –with in the middle a huge acacia tree- was now full of cheerful warriors and beautiful young girls, while the elders and women in their colourful dresses were staying aside around the huts, drinking and eating.

    And I, as I politely refused my 5th bowl of milk, I was stunned, couldn’t believe that this was really happening...


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    More Longido Tips

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    Comments for Bonobo2005 about Longido
    kimbaman Fri May 18, 2007 10:34 UTC
     He was probably doing you a favour. Buffalo are extremely unpredictable and very dangerous. On foot best avoided. I know!
    kenHuocj Wed Feb 11, 2004 14:08 UTC
     a fine page on the true significance of initiation into the Masai adult society ;-)))
    Bwana_Brown Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:46 UTC
     An excellent page on your 'up close and personal' encounter with Masai traditions! I never took an opportunity to do it like you did!
    Mauzl Wed Oct 29, 2003 14:31 UTC
     wonderfully composed page - great pictures!
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