One afternoon our guide took us to visit a nearby, traditional Massai village. They were very welcoming and showed us a home, the craft work that the ladies do, how to start a fire with just a couple pieces of wood, and traditional, singing, and jumping. I really enjoyed talking with the women as they showed me the craftwork they had done. They were very proud of their work. It was quite beautiful. They had made jewelry, small, stuffed toys, carved wood, decorations, carved animals, baskets and a wide variety of things. 
The men and women sang a song of welcome. The ladies laid out their work in a big circle on the grass.I loved a lot of the jewelryThey had a procedure for selecting objects you would want to buy. One of the ladies walked around the circle with me and we picked up everything that I was interested in buying. After walking around the whole circle, then I was directed to bargain.  I bought this beat of disc which was made by the woman in this picture. She was excited to sell it and happy that this foreigner bought her work.Its a Massai male tradition that jumping is part of the courtship rituals. The women find the man who can jump the highest and with the most stamina as very attractive possible mates. There is a long history of this type of flirting, if you will. The traditional construction material in the homes is made of a mixture of clay and cow dung. The house was used by women and children for cooking and sleeping. The men are out with the animals. The few rooms were small and dark. There was one small opening to let the smoke out. The Massai were traditionally semi nomadic herdsmen. The men’s wealth depended upon the animals he owned.  The men showed a traditional way of starting a fire using two pieces of wood rubbed together and the fibers from elephant dungI just enjoyed interacting with this group of women. I have made jewelry and sold items so I felt some kinship to these ladies who were culturally and geographically so far from my beginnings and roots. 
what a wonderful experience to visit a village. The jewlery is beautiful. I can hardly wait to see the disk. oh and the animals! So many of them! Your pictures are fantastic. You are doing my dream trip. Thanks for sharing. Peggy
One Way Ticket 
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