The Maasai Steps

My son, you are on the eve of making the great journey across Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. May you travel swiftly and your feet leave no tracks. Take each step deliberately and keep your eyes on what is in front of you and your spirit in touch with what is all around you. Remember, that the Endless Plain is not our world and we are only travellers there who are passing through.

If you meet an elephant, mighty Ndovu, offer them the path with grace and dignity. They are the architects of this land and all of Africa is theirs. What they leave behind is good medicine. Thank them for your admittance into their land and say a prayer and then walk on.

If you meet a rhino, sturdy Kifaru, move as slowly as she does. She does not see you and is probably lost. Stand against the wind. Do not impede her path and do not approach her child. Acknowledge her presence by whispering in soft tones and offer her words of flattery, but be sincere. If you do this, she may offer you the path.

If you meet a hippo, fearsome Kiboko, let her return to the water and keep your distance. She does not know you from a bush and will consume both in one bite. Above all, do not go near her water. It is easy to avoid for you will be able to smell it long before you see it.

If you meet a Buffalo, powerful Nyati, go around and make your track wide. They may resemble our kind and friendly cattle, but they come from a stock that has never forgiven us for taming their cousins. They are the beasts of the plain with no fear of us and they will trample you if you cross them.

If you meet a lion, brave Simba, remember that they are your friend and, though they may strike fear into your heart, they do not want to hunt you. If Simba decides that you are his prey it means that he is desperate and you save him and all lions and all the land through your sacrifice, so do not be afraid.

If you meet a giraffe, graceful Twiga, let her eat the acacias in peace. Her shape and how she shapes the treetops is the beauty that is Africa.

If you meet an ostrich, clumsy-looking Mbuni, don’t be fooled by her walk. If you try to hunt her, you will lose all your energy in the pursuit and be dead the following morning.

If you meet a cheetah, swift Duma, pray that it is from the top of a tree where she cannot reach you.

If you meet a leopard, sleepy Chui, you are in the tree avoiding the cheetah and are probably already dead.

If you meet a hyena, cunning Fisi, they are all bark with little bite if they are well fed and all bite with no bark if they are hungry. They will scavenge the same meals as you and you are entitled to the feast when faced with the former, but you should seek another meal when faced with the latter.

Wildebeest and zebra, cooperative Numbu and Punda, they travel together. Numbu smells all and Punda has long vision and a long memory. Alone they are fools left for dead, together they amble as though all the plain belongs to them. Though they are food for lions, their numbers are so great and the distances they cover so vast that they are justified in their claim.

The antelope, waterbuck, and impala, elegant Kudu, Kuru, and Swalapala, are also food for the lions. They are swift and graceful and their numbers are many. If she is well, she will stay well. If she is hurt, she will die and it is your duty to end her suffering. Be quick and take what you can as fast as you can and leave the rest for other scavengers.

If you meet a warthog, ugly foul-smelling Ngiri, the taste of their flesh is far more satisfying than the smell of their hide. Spare the little ones and eat only the males.

If you meet a baboon, angry Nyani, she surely will not be alone. If you try to take from them, they will take from you. If you ignore them, they will confuse you for one of their own. You can share meals together.

If you meet a monkey, mischievous Kima, be forceful and stand your ground. Do not let your senses relax or he will rob you of all that you carry.

All of the birds, wise Ndege, they are the watchmen of the plain. Learn their movements and study their signs. They can lead you to food and water and they can warn you of the slightest disturbance in the terrain. If they take flight, so should you.

If you meet a tsetse, give it no respect. Offer it no quarter. Show it no mercy. Kill it!