before the
rising of
the sun, the
cattle low,
begging to
be released
from the dark
confines of
the enkang,
aching to
stretch their legs
and have their
sore udders
relieved of
the heavy
burden of
milk. the
bells on the
necks of the
cattle make
music that
is pleasing
to all of
the maasai
people of
the village.
a maasai
woman wakes
in the dark,
the enkang
letting in
little light.
she knows her
day is just
beginning;
she cannot
rest; too much
to do, so
she rises
quietly,
so as not
to disturb
her infant
son lying
beside her,
wrapped in a
red shuka
cloth given
to her by
her husband.
she wakens
her older
sons and gives
them milk to
energize
them. she tells
them to be
careful when
they let out
the cattle
and goats, and
guard them well,
as she heard
lions roar
during the
night in the
manyatta.
she watches
as her sons
release the
cattle and
goats and goes
amongst them,
greeting each
one by a
special name,
milking and
singing a
song to each
one of them,
making sure they
are healthy
and that all
are present.
she wakes up
her only daughter,
and tells her
that it is
time she go
get water
that they will
need for the
day. if she
goes now, it
will be much
cooler and
it will be
easier
than if she
waits until
later; if she
waits, the sun
will only
get hotter
the higher
it rises
in the sky.
__________________________________________

Imagine a people whose ways have
remained unchanged for thousands
of years. These people are the Wa-
Maasai. They would like to start
their mornings like this every day.