The White Masai



Since I was going to be strapped to the economy class seat of the Airbus for 13 hours flat, I decided to get myself a book for the journey. I must admit I am not a keen reader but imagine thirteen hours of plain seating. I know from past experience that the in-flight magazines are packed with rubbish like tourist attractions and accommodations for real tourists. I didn’t need all that. I am going home so accommodation is the least of my worries. The food is never the best but up there you are at their mercy. The best you can get is the alcohol since that is not adulterated, be it on the ground or miles up in the sky. Nuff said.

The title of the book was White Masai. That in itself was enough to get me sold to the paperback. I slowly read the review at the back page and immediately advanced to the checkout. Sitting at the departure lounge I sank my head deeply into the riveting story of a naive Swiss woman who fell for a Samburu warriors while on a safari in Kenya.

Cut it short. The lady dumped the boyfriend and set off to find the warrior and, yes you are right-marry him.

Anyone who read the book will agree with me that the poor woman went through a lot for love. Others like me will, drawing from the introduction, say that she was high!
High? For two years? Nada!. I am with her on this one. Living in the Manyattas(makeshift house for the nomadic warrior tribes) is not for any one.

So, what was her motivation? That cursed semi desert has no running water, no modcons, and only accessible by 4x4. Some argue that love is still blind. Some say she saw more of the samburu warrior. See their skirt (kanga/lava lava)?

I tend to agree with the latter. Why? Because this is the only one that makes sense. What will a rich Swiss woman be looking for in an African Bush? Love? You kidding me.
I heard the phrase "Once you go black you never go back"

I went to watch the movie and still can’t understand. The movie only tells the story according to the lady. I would like to hear what the poor brother has to say about the two year relationship that ended with the Swiss woman stealing the brother's baby.

The good news is that on my recent visit to kasiekulture blog, I realized that the bloggers were in Kenya. I hope they touched bases with Lemalian (samburu warrior) for his side of the story. Please guys, any news-enlighten us-a blog, a book or even a movie-please.

As for me, I stick to my guns. It was not love. Like she said in an interview, the only problem was the brother's drinking which rendered his endowment useless and ultimately relegating the Samburu warrior to the level of the jilted boyfriend.

She is right. Alcohol no good.