Culture
Maasai leaders have advocated for cultural preservation, while encouraging members of the Maa communities to allocate some land for cultural events.
Speaking at Osupuko village, Trans Mara West Sub-county, while attending graduation ceremony of young men who are graduating from Emechet, Kajiado county Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, highlighted the significance of Maa culture, stating that it has not only become part of Kenyan tradition, but also a global one.
Lenku told the young men, “You are the embodiment of our nation’s future, the strength of our families in the days to come. As your parents, we are proud that we are not only providing you with education, but also instilling in you the values of being true Africans, true Kenyans, and culturally rooted individuals.”
Emenchet is a sacred place that is used to accommodate, train and graduate young men after circumcision. The governor hailed Maa culture, noting that it had become a vital part of the Kenyan identity, adding that their people are among the most welcoming.
The Royal Media Services Group Editorial Director, Linus Kaikai, who spoke on behalf of the families, praised the young men who have undergone the “Emenchet” initiation, saying they emerge as wise and prepared individuals ready for the future.
Kaikai also commended the parents for setting a strong example in molding these young men into solid, dependable people. “Through our culture, we have come together with people from diverse backgrounds. We have those from Canada, Minnesota, and, of course, from here in Kenya,” he said.
Kaikai said the gathering celebrates two cultures, those of the Maasai and Kalenjin people whose traditions share many similarities, even in the “Emenchet” initiation process. The county women rep Rebecca Tonkei echoed same sentiments, stressing the importance of Maa culture, and also proposed that Maa counties set aside land for cultural events.
She added that as the children return to school, the positive aspects of these cultural practices should continue to be upheld. The ceremony was also attended by the Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli and his Kajiado South counterpart Parashina Sakimba