Walk with a Maasai

Last week I saw a Maasai warrior named Samwel Melami Langidare Mollel speak at the Castle Rock Library.  He was fascinating!  Dressed in his traditional Maasai clothes, Samwel spoke of his culture and customs in the Ngorangora crater in Tanzania.  He spoke about the differences between women's roles and men's, and that they only see each other once or twice a week to keep the peace and respect.  Men don't eat with the women because women have a bad spirit in their eyes that could give the men bad luck.  He told us what to do if we wake up in a hut and a snake has cuddled up next to us in the night, explaining how to swing the snake around by the tail and whack the snake on the wall. 
His father is a healer and Samwel talked about the different kinds of plants that the Maasai use for various ailments, as well as for a certain smell so the wildlife  won't bother them.  He helpfully suggested that if we were out walking with him in the bush, a lion might attack one of us, but not him. 
With that in mind, he gave quite a few great stories about walking safaris he has led from his village.  Samwell has started a safari company, www.maasaiexpeditions.com that is advertised as being 100% Maasai owned and operated, and benefits the local economy and traditions. 

Clearly, the highlight of things I've learned this last week was all the information from Samwell.  I am definitely adding one of his walking tours to my bucket list.