An Elder Gets the Head, Naturally!

[vc_row type=”vc_default” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”5″][vc_column][vc_column_text]This is a picture of my dear friend Tipape Loomu. He is the Maasai guy who introduced me to his community in Rombo, Kenya on the eastern face of Mt. Kilimanjaro where we subsequently set up a school. Whenever we can afford it, my Maasai friends and I celebrate our coming together by purchasing and roasting a goat or a sheep. Prior to the dramatic loss of cattle suffered by the Maasai of this region due to the seizing of (and subsequent expulsion from) their lands to establish the Tsavo Game reserves, in addition to the devastating drought of 2007-2009, the slaughter and feasting on a goat or lamb was a normal part of Maasai hospitality. Such extravagant days of hospitality are pretty much over, so it is a treat for all when we do it.

From my observations, the animal is killed careful so as not to waste any of the nutritious and delicious blood. Some of the organs are eaten raw, while the meat is roasted over a fire. The meat of the beast is shared by all, except, of course, for the prized head. Tipape is holding a well-roasted lamb’s head that was reserved for his grandfather. The consumption of the head is the right and privilege of elders. But this does not prevent the children from waiting close by hoping a tasty morsel of brain might be shared.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][interactive_banner][/vc_column][/vc_row]