Chris and I had the pleasure of spending ten days with Elia on our trip to Tanzania last month, and sat down to record a podcast with him at Lake Eyasi. Elia is half Maasai, and spent much of his childhood being raised by his Maasai grandfather. He has a great deal of knowledge and insight about the complexities and conflicts between the Maasai and the “modern world,” because that complexity informs his life and identity. In this conversation we speak about his experience learning about wildlife, the land, astronomy and what it means to mature as a man within his Maasai community, and the shift into his adult life as a safari guide. We speak about Maasai culture and tradition, climate change, spirit animals, tourism, education, and population growth. Elia gives some unique and important context to the experience of coming from and living in two very different worlds.
Get in touch with Elia through Gladiola Adventure.
Songs featured: “Korobela” and “Asante Sana” by The Soil
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#120 Growing Up Maasai in a Complex, Changing World with Elia Edward Mollel