A piece of Maasai culture brought to Douglas County

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Maasai Tribal Chief Joseph ole Tipanko traveled from Kimuka Village in Kenya with his wife Cicilia Seleyian and John Parsitau, a community social worker to be part of creating a global world and raise funds for a rescue center.

“We come to share our lifestyle and culture,” said Tipanko. “To give people a perspective to understand the diverse cultures of the world, for a peaceful, global world.” e three travel to schools and rotary clubs to give people an opportunity to learn about another culture, how they live and provide a way to make connections.

At the age of 18, Tipanko was made chief and will carry the title for the rest of his life. e qualities that are looked for in the chief are someone who is compassionate, has self control, is fair in judgment, has knowledge and wisdom, integrity, does not anger quickly and who can serve others.

As a symbol of power and authority, Tipanko carries with him his leadership stick, wrapped in Maasai colors. White represents milk and peace; green for grass and vegetation; blue for the sky; orange for the setting of the sun; yellow for warmth and beauty; black is for the color of their skin; and red is for braveness, courage and blood.

For over a decade, Castle Rock resident Steve Baroch and Castle Rock rotary clubs have been supporting the Maasai through various projects.

While visiting Castle Rock, Tipanko, Seleyian and Parsitau walked up to Rock Park. Grateful for Baroch and the rotary clubs, the community in Kenya started the Castle Rock Preschool and Daycare, which provides food, medication and vitamins.

According to Tipanko, he wants to make a landmark in their community that resembles the rock in Castle Rock. Another project involved creating an 850-foot deep well that provides water to an estimated 3,000 people, 1,500 goats and sheep and 1,200 cows.

However, the Maasai are continuing to lose a lot of cattle due to the extreme drought.

Everything that a Maasai has, revolves around the cattle.

“Without cows, there are no Maasai’s,” said Tipanko. “Our lifestyle is based on the nomadic lifestyle, where we move from one village to another for grass and water for our cattle.”

In Maasai society, cows represent a form of currency as they are sold for goods and services. e community also depends on cattle for things like milk, blood for salt intake, meat and their homes.

Parsitau said herbs and the blood of a cow are used as a way to build their immune systems and according to Seleyian, women use cow dung to make a clay to build their small houses. e elders of the community are also important and highly respected, “We believe they are full of wisdom,” said Tipanko.

Elders talk through riddles, poems and proverbs and teach the community about life issues. In addition, the council of elders is the main decision making body in the community.

Knowledge is also passed down generations through songs, stories and practice.

“It is the duty of the mother to pass knowledge to their daughters and the role of the father to pass knowledge to their sons,” said Parsitau.

According to Tipanko, the Maasai no longer hunt lions.

“ ey are conserved by the Kenya wildlife service and community policing for the conservation measures,” said Tipanko.

As for young girls and women, they are taught how to fetch water, collect rewood and take care of babies. Women also learn how to be patient, careful and focused through beadwork for jewelry. Seleyian said to make a pattern, one must be very creative.

“Women in the community, many do not know how to write, to read or to learn, so they make sure they have their own knowledge,” said Seleyian.

To provide Maasai women and girls the tools to grow in the community, the current project is to raise funds for the community to nish the rescue center, already named Olmarori Centre for Excellence. e goal for the center is to house 60 girls who are saved from extreme poverty, female genital cutting, illegal marriage and child tra cking.

“So the safe house will be like heaven where all the girls will stay,” said Tipanko. “ e building is not yet complete. It is up, but needs some nishing. at’s why we are here, to try and see how we can share and raise funds. at’s what makes me excited to come here.”

To learn more and make donations, go to https://maasai-development. com/

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