Maasai leaders have pledged to continue advocating for the education of children in the community noting that cultural practices will not hamper the gains recorded in the education.
Led by Narok County governor, Patrick Ole Ntutu, the leaders said the Maasai culture remains an envy of both the locals and foreigners, noting that it takes dedication and concerted efforts by the community to maintain and sustain the cultures.
The governor said that they will continue to ensure that children remain in schools even as they promote and practice their culture which is part of their way of life. They have encouraged the young generation to hold to these practices to retain their culture and their identity. He continued to say that they shall also instil the importance of education because they know that their children also need to integrate with the world today.
The leaders were speaking at the Isampin location, Transmara West, Narok County during the Enkipaata ceremony involving the induction of boys leading to their initiation to Morans and eventually elders.
Over 2000 boys between 12 and 20 years will graduate after a seven-day long induction with values such as respect and responsibility, safeguarding of the lineage, transfer of powers from one age set to the next, and the transmission of indigenous knowledge being inculcated amongst the young boys during the period.
Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtua said the preservation of the Maasai culture remains a key priority for its sustainability besides its role in the diversity of tourism offerings in the country.
He said besides wildlife, a beach that Kenya is known for; culture is one of the key experiences that seeks to diversify tourism offerings in the country, and called for its preservation.
Narok County Women Representative Rebecca Tongei said the Maasai community was an embodiment of cultural experiences in the country and vowed that the community will do all it takes towards its preservation and sustainability.
Tongei said that every step of the lives of their children must be aligned with their cultural values and practices even as they embrace education without which they cannot prosper as a community.
Earlier, the leaders called for the need to protect and cement their culture by putting their cultural ceremonies on an annual calendar of events to be celebrated amongst the Maa-speaking communities in the country.
Leaders also called for the need the Maa counties to put together resources by budgeting a substantial amount of money to empower the cultural activities
The event which will culminate with a colorful pass out of the young boys on Saturday brought together key political figures in the community and beyond including Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndidi Nyoro who hailed the community for preserving their culture over generations.
Others who attended were Mps; Julius Ole Sunkuli, Johana Ngeno, former Narok governor Samuel Tunai, former nominated MP Wilson Sossion, and Rehema Dida Jaldesa among others.
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