Amboseli Eco System

I began my conversations with Somoire Kimaki, Maasai warrior and community leader, after a tour of his village outside the gates of Amboseli National Park in June, 2024. I was impressed by his hustle, leadership, and negotiating style, dazzled by the art and energy of the people, humbled by their dignity, by the children chanting and clapping their lessons.  

The economy of the tourist industry, lack of educational resources, and climate change continue to disrupt the lives of these pastoralists, who have a deep and direct relationship to the animals, plants and elements of their homeland, the birthplace of the human project. 

Tour Guide, Somoire Kimaki

The tour is on, a conversation from our eco-systems, community life, personal moments, a story of crossing paths with a warrior in the Motherland, the source of all music and language. This documentary project—words, photos, sounds— is in process.

all photos by Somoire

WATER IS LIFE

To address their ecological reality they need support: a computer, access to wife, and training in how to navigate and design to have access to support networks like Engineers Without Borders/Kenya. This communication foundation is essential for the village to move forward with the WATER PROJECT.

I will post updates.

“All music comes from Africa.
Beethoven was an African cat.”
—David Ornette Cherry

Since the drought two years ago and the continuing water shortages from climate change, the community has to go in search of water. The women carry it home, a full- time job. Warriors take the animals to watering holes, protect them from lions. Dickson Lekina is the village teacher leading the fight for Maasai-centered education and women’s empowerment, dependent on WATER.

Dickson & Somoire