Maasai Olympics Coming Up!

Traditionally, young Maasai warriors have engaged in the killing of lions to compete for recognition, express bravery, attract girlfriends, and identify leaders.  However, because lion populations have dwindled so much in recent years, this tradition is no longer culturally acceptable.  A special group of Maasai elders called the Menya Layiok (Fathers of the Warriors) has come together to create a history-making alternative to lion-killing – the first-ever Maasai Olympics, to be held this December!

The Maasai Olympics seek to replace traditional lion-killing with sports.

The inaugural Maasai Olympics are an organized Maasai sports competition based upon traditional warrior skills, allowing the tribe to retain many of its tradition while adapting to the modern world and peacefully co-existing with its ecosystem.  There are five events in the program:  

1) 200m sprint

2) 5000m run

3) Spear throwing

4) Rungu throwing

5) High jumping

A moran, or Maasai warrior, throws a spear in one of the five contests.

There are three levels of competition (local, regional, and ecosystem-wide), allowing all Maasai to participate and culminating in the Maasai Olympics on 22^nd December 2012.  Regional competitions are now ongoing, and the build-up toward what will become an annual event has been exciting thus far!  The Maasai Olympics are being jointly arranged by the Maasailand Preservation Trust, the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, and the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.

The competition rules are explained to a group of warriors in Kuku.

MWCT is also offering the overall winner participation in the 2013 New York Marathon - stay tuned here for more updates, and consider joining our warrior in next year's marathon!  And finally, Campi ya Kanzi is offering a discounted rate should you desire to come and enjoy the Maasai Olympics final competition - contact luca@maasai.com for more details.