MAASAI CULTURE IN  TWALA TENEBO 

The amazing maasai culture in twala tenebo

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Twala-Tenebo is located in the semi-arid Laikipia plateau, near Mount Kenya in northern Kenya. There, a cooperative of over 200 women from six different Maasai groups coexist with the diverse wildlife and sustain themselves through aloe farming, beadwork, beekeeping and ecotourism—offering authentic Maasai cultural experiences and affordable eco-manyatta accommodations.
 

Twala’ is a Maasai word for a bell. ‘Tenebo’ means come together. In 2007, the “bell rang” as a symbol of calling the Maasai women to action for their capacity enhancement. They joined hands and established a cultural center together. The centre works towards empowering women to work for themselves and preserve the rich cultural and historic heritage of the local Maasai people.

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It is supported by Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project since 2000 and African Conservation Centre since 2008. Twala’s mission is to provide income for the women and a unique and authentic experience for visitors while fostering respect and understanding of the local environment and culture.

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The women earn their income through a variety of enterprises including renting accommodations to tourists and leasing their meeting facility to local and international organizations. They also design and sell Maasai beaded items for sale, offer educational and cultural experiences for visitors via their indigenous plant walks and baboon walks, and sell aloe and honey commercially. Their work supports their families as well as women and girls in the community that need additional support. Twala women care for abused girls and elderly women with no income, and support girls' education, maintaining a school onsite.

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Aloe Farming

"Three hundred women in El Poloi have switched from the age-old occupation of goat-keeping to the new and far more lucrative activity of farming aloe, a plant with healing properties. Along the way, they are transforming their economic status and creating educational opportunities for their daughters. Drought-prone Il Poloi lies to the northwest of snow-capped Mount Kenya in the Great Rift Valley.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the area receives less than 400 mm (16 inches) of rainfall annually. Knowing maize and vegetables would not produce good harvests in this climate, the women decided six years ago to cultivate Aloe secundiflora, a plant common to semi-arid parts of Kenya."

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Beadwork

Twala women make beautiful beaded bracelets to enhance their income and support girls in completing their education. The bracelets are sold in Kenya and the US with 10% of the proceeds invested towards the Girls’ Boarding Block at Il Polei Secondary School. The Il Polei School helps young women complete their education, avoid early marriage, and even allows students to return to school after they are pregnant. These young mothers have become the stars of their classes earning A’s and A+ on their exams!

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Ecotourism

The Manyatta was initiated by local Maasai women to provide a unique and authentic experience for visitors while fostering respect and understanding of the local environment and culture. The Twala women offer guests traditional Maasai accommodations, conference facilities, and Maasai cultural experiences, including songs and dances, as well as indigenous plant and baboon walks. Visit for a day or stay in a traditional Maasai hut.

Individuals or groups of up to 20 can be accommodated. Huts are self-catering. Food can be provided with advance notification. Teas and coffees also available. Traditional goat roast can be arranged. Water, bedding, lamps and firewood are provided. Please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reservations are very limited at this time.

 

Unwind and relax while experiencing wildlife, nature and Maasai culture in a unique way! The Manyatta offers many activities including birding/plant/nature tours, visiting the breathtaking Mukogodo Forest and the opportunity to participate in Maasai dances and songs. Below are some additional opportunities offered to Manyatta visitors.

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CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Experience the traditional life of Maasai women. Enjoy dances and songs, find water, and learn how to bead. Learn about men’s traditional activities including making fire with sticks, playing bao, and fashioning arrows. Participate in a goat roast with songs and stories around the campfire.

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WALKING WITH LIVESTOCK

The Maasai way of life revolves around cattle. Livestock pastoralism has been an important adaptation to the savanna environment. “Walking with Livestock” allows visitors to learn about Maasai herding techniques. This is a hands-on experience and one of the highlights of the Manyatta visit.

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BIO-ENTERPRISES

Learn about the women’s new efforts for income generation and conservation, including cultivating aloe for lotions and cosmetics, bee-keeping for honey, a kitchen garden, and restoration of the land and river.

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WALKING WITH BABOONS

Take a guided walk among a troop of baboons and learn about these amazing primates. By contrast to other primates, baboon troops are filled with active, smart monkeys who practice sophisticated politics in their daily lives. What happens when smart baboons meet their smart human cousins? Truly a unique and exciting experience.

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TOURING THE LANDSCAPE

The landscape tells the story of how cattle, people and wildlife have interacted in the past using the same savannah resources. Touring the landscape allows you to see the ways in which each member of the human/wildlife community shapes the world for the others.

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ITINERARY:

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• Drive from Nanyuki to Il Polei

• Meet the baboons as they wake up and cross the river in trees overhead and then follow them through their morning activities.

• Visit Twala Tenebo and learn about Maasai culture and the woman project

• Return to Nanyuki

 

Or

 

• Drive from Nanyuki to Il Polei

• Visit Twala Tenebo and learn about Maasai culture and the woman project

• Follow the baboons as they wind up their day and return to the river & fig trees for the night.

• Return to Nanyuki

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RATE INCLUSIONS:

 

• Professional English Speaking Guide

• Return ground transport: Pick-up & drop-off at hotel

• Sanitizers, Masks & Drinking Water during trip

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