How do we learn from our traditions
and re-imagine our future?
An audio-visual documentation of the rich Maasai heritage with stories from Maasai women, and a boundless future.
What can we learn from our traditions?
The Maasai people are one of the few tribes in Kenya that until now, maintain more of their traditional culture and way of life.
They are mainly pastoralists with large herds of cattle.
They originally have a nomadic way of life; and many places in Kenya have their names from Maasai origin eg ‘Nairobi’ comes from the Maa word ‘Narobi’ meaning ‘cold’ (cold waters)
Due to effects of colonization, and climate change, the Maasai way of life has changed with time and most of them are now in settled homesteads and practice agriculture too.
We wanted to find out more about their way of life by engaging some of the women from Twala Tenebo women village in a series of conversations about the following topics :
-The history and design of the Enkaji (the Maasai huts)
-The Maasai culture; what’s their experience and takes?
-Maasai diet, methods of cooking, food & kitchen rituals
-Maasai accessories - beaded jewellery & dresses
-Climate change & permaculture
To have a limitless future, we must learn from our past traditions. This is what the performance art piece portrays. We were empowered with the knowledge gained from these conversations & experiences to create art that is boundless, and enriched with our ancestral wisdom.
We collected sounds within the manyatta; including the birds chirping, milking cows, women chatting and singing ….
We also 3d scanned the manyattas, objects around the space, the village women and the performers.
These assets were used to create an immersive interactive experience that can be experienced in VR.
(click for more information)
Coming up...
Enkang' Ang' exhibition is coming up!
Location: Cedar Mall, Nanyuki
Opening: 18th November 2023, 3-9pm EAT
Ongoing until the 24th December 2023
Visitors will experience Enkang’ang’ through virtual reality, photographs, videos and wearable costumes
This exhibition is supported by the British Council, East Africa Arts under The Braid Fund with T.I.C.A.H.
Visitors experienced Enkang’ang’ through virtual reality, photographs, videos and wearable costumes; for three days during the DM22 pop-up festival, from 23-25 November. The exhibition stayed in place until the end of the year and was viewable on weekdays.
I also presented Enkang’ang’ at the DM22 Legacy Conference at Manchester School of Art on 23 November.
This exhibition and trip was supported by the British Council, East Africa Arts.
Check out this blogpost feature from Nairobi Design website.
The theme was 'Where We Live'; an exchange of information that connects our senses and environments.
The festival was a two day expression (and two week exhibition) of the community's minds, bodies, neighbourhoods, global, and online spaces, that took place in April.
The maasai Enkaji is a sight to behold
Rounded rectangular structures with flat-topped roof. The walls are made of twigs held together with cow-dung. It stands out as an eco-friendly minimalist building.
'You see, for a woman sitting under a tree, you watch the way the birds make their nests. And then you ask yourself, if a bird can use its beak to make a nest, why can’t I with both hands not build one?
The first woman must have learned from the birds and challenging herself by going to cut poles, sharpening, and making a house.'
Joyce Mamai (60 y/o)
The Maasai women build the homes, and hence, each house takes the height of the woman.
The cowdung cools the temperature and also acts as a natural insecticide.
The Enkang’ is the homestead, which has huts arranged in a circle around a cattle kraal.
A hut is called 'Enkaji'
The huts are aerodynamically designed to resist high winds, and the thicket boundary acts as a defensive barrier.
Stories from Grandma Joyce Mamai were fascinating...
'These are the houses we Maasais have had since we were young. When you build your house, you plaster with cow dung, then raise the bed. Before we didn’t have beds. We slept on a cow hide on the floor.
Then it came a time when we knew how to make the beds. We kept asking ourselves why should we sleep on the floor? We then decided to cut poles, fix them on the ground, plastered the bed the same way we plaster the house then put a cow hide on top and the house became nice.
We also made a fireplace using three stones which was used for cooking food. And with a cooking pot, we could cook anything even ugali. We also milked our cows and drank milk. You collect the milk in a gourd and either drink it or use it for cooking food such as kiteke.(maize flour)
Before we did not have cooking pots, we only had gourds and cow hide. We didn’t boil milk. For cups, we used some lids that we made from cow hide. But currently we have both cooking pots and cups because we discovered about them.
We used our gourds to fetch water. I used the animal’s hide to make something similar to a cooking pot which we used as basins. We used a certain tree called Osarai to make soap. We even used urine from cows to wash our hands.
'
During a ceremony when a cow is slaughtered, there is meat for old men, morans, boys, women and girls.
There is meat cooked in the forest by morans and those cooked at home by women.
The neck is for boys, backbone for girls, and leg parts for men. The rest of the animal part is cooked and shared equally among people at the ceremony.'
Monica Mamai; 28 yrs-old.
The maasai are pastoralists who keep cattle.
We wanted to learn more about their diet, methods of cooking and rituals.
'When we were young girls there was no maize flour or tea leaves. We went to the forest and got herbs that we used as tea leaves. We drank milk and ate meat when an animal was slaughtered.
When we had ceremonies, a cow would be slaughtered. During the ceremony we would eat meat, drink milk and blood. Meat was either roasted, cooked in blood or cooked with animal’s fat.
Old women cooked the various types of meat and stored them properly. One would eat small amounts of meat, drink blood and milk. One would walk for long distances after eating them since they would make you so full.
Girls were taught how to cook at the age of 10. Warriors would not cook. They would slaughter in the forest and bring meat for us to cook.
Long ago we went far to fetch firewood. We now have fire in our houses. In Twala women group we have learnt and discovered various sources of getting fire used for cooking. We now sell our beadworks and use money to buy gas or jiko (charcoal burner).
We now plant vegetables in our homes, which we no longer buy.'
All around the enkang’, the women were adorned in big beautiful colourful patterned beads.
These necklaces and bangles would move with their body movement as they walked, and make musical jingly sounds. This was spectacular when they danced!
The material is small stone-like plastic beads that they buy in bulk from the market.
'As Maasais we do a lot of beadwork, yet we did not have beads long ago. We used seeds ...and cowrie shells, of which we didn’t know their origin though we got them from Indians. We also used bones and plastics.'
Jennifer Pere(45 yrs)
Beading is not just about the jewellery, it's about women empowerment.
This is a cow’s hide. I have shaped into this design and now using this wire and beads to create a pattern. I use this needle to make a small hole into the hide.
We start teaching girls from the age of 13 on how to do beadwork. Girls as young as 8 can do simple designs like chains.
In the past, as Maasais we loved using red-coloured beads but now we have some developments.
Over time, new designs have emerged through their interactions with other tribes like the Samburu & Pokot, and through client’s suggesting new designs.
They also tend to explore new ways of making the jewellery.
During a wedding ceremony, it is important that the bride be adorned in many layers of the beaded necklaces, as this is a sign of beauty and abundance.
'Long ago men were the only ones owning beehives, we now can own them too.'
Susan Noorkilo; 32 yrs old
Land has become too scarce to support a nomadic lifestyle.
This is due to climate change and land being closed off as ranches.
The women at Twala Tenebo have developed a sustainable way of life, despite the semi-arid climate experienced there.
They grow aloe-vera and keep bees for honey. They use these to generate income for themselves.
A beautifully sustainable community...
Aloe Vera has also helped reduce soil erosion during heavy rainfalls. Secondly we get money that we use to educate our children.
We no longer do batter trade with men who would give us a goat and we give them aloe Vera.
We now sell to them so we can get money to educate our children
The flowers from the aloe Vera provides nectar for the bees hence we also get honey.
The bees also prevent elephants from invading the aloe farms.
During the holidays, we take our children to the farm to see and appreciate what it is we do.
This year, they plan on starting to make lotion and soap from the aloe, and selling them.
There’s a lot of wild cacti growing there. They use this cacti to run their biogas, which makes food in the kitchen.
The women of Twala have found a place to support and protect themselves from these systems...
The maasai people are hailed as one of the few traditional Kenyan tribes to have maintained their traditions over time. While there is a lot to be appreciated about this way of life, there are also some aspects that the women would like changed.
'It is at Twala that I learnt Female Genital Mutilation and early child marriages is not a good practice.
It is where I also learnt it is not good if a man or your husband lays hands on you.
I also learnt it is good when a woman is independent and empowered and she is not only depending on her husband.'
Cecelia Naimado(35 y'o)
As a maasai woman, I take care of livestock, build a house, if I feel my house is old, I build another one. I take care of my home, I do beadwork and take care of my children as well as fetch water and firewood.
Our culture defines who we think we are. It takes wisdom and courage to view culture from a different perspective: To enhance what works...and do away with what doesn't...
I was married as a very young girl. We were circumcised at the age of either 13 or 14 or thereabout
Even before I healed properly, my dad had found a husband for me. He did not inform me. When the man came I was asked if I want him. I said no. I was told whether I want him or not he is my husband and if I refused I would be beaten.
Empowering women from pastoral communities.
A word from Rose Nenini, manager of Twala Tenebo Women village.
THe PeRFoRMaNce aRT
A RE-IMAGINED FUTURE
There is a recurring theme in Maasai folklore whereby women are given certain privileges but end up being stripped of them (examples: The legend of the sun and moon, and the legend about why women don't own cattle)
This concept was formulated with the intention of both reclaiming the past and imagining a better future, where women in the Maasai community are seen as peers and equals to the men in their community.
With women being allowed to explore their full potential as leaders, warriors and thinkers, their communities undergo a lot of advancement.
The Maasai women love to express themselves through what they wear, sing and dance.
We were highly inspired by all the stories, information and activities with them.
A matriarch, leader and oracle to her people.
She holds the highest position of authority in her community.
Shape language: Her silhouette and accessories feature a lot of equilateral triangles. This symbolizes her stability and reliability, as well as her dynamism. She’s sharp and pragmatic.
Her costume contains cow symbolism.She’s the custodian of her people’s wealth as they trust her with their most important asset - their cows.
The Enkoiboni is connected with the earth. They ensure abundance in the community through the power of Maasai rich culture.
The Maasai believe that they have the power to talk to God directly. Through a ritual of spraying freshly got milk in the direction of the mountain, and uttering the words they want to happen.
Main features: Metallic bull-shaped corset with a large tulle skirt. Oracle’s staff. Triangular glasses and jewelry.
A Divine Healer
Inspired by the eco-friendly way of living by the Maasai people, the Enkayukoni is a healer. She connects the people with divine medicine.
She comes from a lineage of great medicine-women who learnt the secrets of the Earth.
She manifests power through a connection with nature and a belief in one-self.
Shape language: Her outfit features a lot of circles, signifying softness and approachability. The concentric circles and spirals also symbolize the makings of a mad scientist.
Main features: maasai shuka print apron with tools,Steampunk goggles, feathered headpiece, beaded jewelry.
She embodies young, fun and energetic characteristics.
Esiangiki means a young unmarried woman in Maasai.
Between the ages of about 14 and 30, young men are traditionally known as ilmurans. During this life stage they live in isolation in the bush, learning tribal customs and developing strength, courage, and endurance.
Lore:
The Esiangiki is Universally hailed as one of the most fearsome warriors to date, she never backs down from a fight. Incredibly strong and a quick thinker.
Shape language: Lots of squares and isosceles triangles with wide bases. This indicates stability, you’d never be able to move her no matter how hard you pushed her.
Main features: Spear and shield., arm and leg armor, maasai shuka dress and cape, mask, maasai necklace, maasai sandals, Shoulder and elbow pads.
3D ScaNS
BTS
Nairobi Design Week 2022 - Exhibition at Kazuri Beads, April 2022
Business Daily Article by Margaretta Wa Gacheru - "But the most exciting exhibition I had time to see at Design Week was Naitiemu’s multi-media project, Enkang’Ang’."
Check out the press kit to download images from the project for sharing on social. Please note that Enkang' Ang' owns the rights to all images.
THE TEAM
Naitiemu
Creative execute producer & Performance artist
Natasha Khanyola
VR artist
Jess Olago
Props & costumes designer
Rosemary Wangari
Make-up artist
Lindsay Adhiambo Obath
Performance artist
Antonate Aiko
Performance artist
Mercy Barno
Music producer
Ach13ng
Singer
David King'ori
Creative and imaginative Motion Graphics Designer and Animator with a talent for creating unique and trendy animations. Through the application of Human-Centered Design and a background in Psychology, I strive to use intuitive techniques to develop ideas and concepts. Equipped with multimedia software expertise and great communication skills; I am able to work with others to deliver stellar designs with incredible attention to detail.
Laissa Malih
Videographer
Wambui Kinyua
Workshop facilitator
Creative executive producer
Naitiemu
Production manager
Shamina Rajab
VR/ Interactive experience artist
Natasha Khanyola
Props & Costume designer
Jess Olago
Main Photographer
Kadesa Sarah
Main Videographer
Laissa Malih
Music Producer
Mercy Barno
Singer
Achieng' Otieno
Make-up artist
Rosemary Wangari
Performance artists
Antonate Aiko
Lindsay Adhiambo Obath
Naitiemu
Workshop lead & Facilitation
Wambui Kinyua
Video editing
Per Pixel Studios
Translators
Elizabeth Momoyai Rikana
Laissah Malih
Margaret Ntang’enoi
PARTNERS
Tech & exhibition
Nairobi Design Week
BlackRhinoVR
Design Manchester
Experts
Greenspaces
Antonia Kihara
Design advisor
Adrian Jankowiak
VR Development assistance by :
Stephen Kimani
Longino Muluka
Brian Njenga
Village women coordinator
Rose Nenini
Village women interviewees
Joyce Mamai
Cecelia Naimado
Monica Mamai
Susan Noorkilo
Jennifer Pere
LOCATION : Twala Tenebo Women Village, Ilpolei.
Thanks to Twala Tenebo Women for the warm accomodation, stories and the many dances we shared!
Sponsors
Soul of Nations Foundation
The US Embassy
The British Council / East Africa Arts
The Braid Fund / T.I.C.A.H
Concept
Naitiemu
Enkang’ Ang’ production is sponsored by Soul of Nations Foundation, under the Green Architecture Project supported by US Embassy
Enkang' Ang' exhibition at Design Manchester 2022 is thanks to the generous contribution of the British Council
