Maasai marathon in London
Six Maasai Warriors from Northern Tanzania will leave their country for the first time to run the Flora London Marathon on the 13 April 2008 and raise money to provide their dry and desperate village
The Maasai Warriors, will run the marathon wearing their traditional clothing, beaded jewellery and shoes made from car tyres (akala in sheng/ swahili ). They will carry their sticks and shields, and chant Maasai songs as they go. For the first time in the marathon’s history, the Maasai runners have been given permission to run without numbered vests, so that they can maintain their cultural integrity.
Years of drought in Northern Tanzania, combined with the effects of climate-change, deforestation and over-grazing, mean the Maasai’s traditional way of life is increasingly under threat. Children, adults and animals are often forced to drink contaminated water and their village, Elaui, is constantly victim to disease, famine and drought. As a result of this, two out of every three children born in the village die before the age of five.
It is the responsibility of the Maasai warriors, ‘or Moran’, to protect and look after the village and they hope, that by running the Flora London Marathon, they will raise enough money to provide a clean water source for the community. The money raised will fund a sonar ground survey, which will help locate subterranean water. Test holes will be drilled to ascertain the quality and quantity of the water discovered. A full bore hole will then be drilled and a concrete cap and pump unit fitted. The cost for this process will vary depending on the findings of the initial survey and tests. A conservative estimate puts the cost between £20,000 and £60,000.
The water hole will lead to longer life expectancy, better survival rates for young children, and increased time for the people of Elaui to raise agriculture and livestock, as well as producing unique arts and crafts that can be marketed in Arusha and other Tanzanian cities. The proud Maasai see the marathon not only as a way to raise money, but also awareness for the plight of their village, and the traditions that they so strongly value.
Isaya, the Maasai warrior who is leading the tribe’s marathon attempt, explains: “Our elders told us that we can do it because we have been running all over for killing a lion and herding cattle. We can help them by getting them clean water so right now all of us are training very hard because we want to do it to make life easier for the Maasai people.” Paul Martin, the Greenforce Expedition Leader who is helping the Maasai turn their marathon dream into reality and will be running alongside them, explains: “Greenforce, an international aid organisation, has worked with the Maasai tribe since 2005 at their invitation. They soon asked us to teach them English and it was during a lesson that the Maasai first heard the word ‘marathon’.
“The Maasai were enthralled and amused by the idea that money could be raised by running, and as the Maasai pride themselves on being strong runners it was not long before they asked me if they could take part in one. My first response was to ask “why?” They responded with unified determination “….for clean water”. My second response was a resounding “why not?”
“Since then we have worked hard to make this dream a reality. The Maasai are proud people, and they see this as an innovative way to raise money and supply their village with clean water – subsequently this will help them protect their identity, traditions and way of life. If they achieve this, they will return to their village as heroes!”
Dave Bedford, Race Director of Flora London Marathon, strongly supports the scheme: “The Flora London Marathon is an excellent platform for any charity, and we’re delighted to be able to offer our assistance to these Maasai runners to raise money for their village. Water is something we all take for granted, and it will be great to see two different cultures coming together on this sporting occasion for this worthy cause; we are 100% behind this.”
To support the Maasai and help them provide their community with clean water, please donate money at: www.massaimarathon.org Massai Marathon
For more information: Green Force
Flora London Marathon
Martin Lel with members of the Kenyan press Topi (Kenya London News) & David (601tv)
The London Marathon winner Martin Lel with members of the Kenyan press Topi (Kenya London News) & David (601tv).
Pix: Wanjuguna/ sixoone media
Sam Wanjiru
Sammy Wanjiru who came second in the 2008 London Marathon interviewed by Ayub for 601TV.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sixoone/2417123712/
Zanzibar Festival Classics DVD Out now
Zanzibar Festival Classics features highlights from the world-
Presented by the festival’s founder Yusuf Mahmoud (aka DJ Yusuf), the CD/ DVD is a celebration of the past five years of the festival’s success and a stimulating insight of what to expect at this year’s event, a four-day extravaganza of diverse music bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds in celebration of the wealth and variety of music from the Swahili region of East Africa and beyond.
The CD features 13 tracks from artists that have previously performed at the festival, whilst the DVD, produced by Head of Fourth World Dennis Tapfuma, international filmmaker Tamara Gordon and film editor Tomas Brickhil, visually encompasses the broad spectrum of Sauti za Busara and brings to life the musical diversity and culture experienced.
Sauti za Busara (Swahili for Sounds of Wisdom) has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s prominent annual events as was recognized at the 2007 BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music when DJ Yusuf, alongside Hildegard Kiel, was presented with the World Shaker Award. (This award recognises outstanding contribution to World Music by those who are rarely in the public eye; previous recipients of the include WOMAD director and co-founder Thomas Brooman.)
Over the years, the festival has evolved into a stage for artists from across Africa. Sauti za Busara now showcases the broadest spectrum of African music in its finest form – combining the old with the new and future generations. You’ll find everything from classic Zanzibar Taarab, Rwandan folk, Malagasy pop, Tanzanian Bongo Flava, Senegalese Rap, Zimbabwean Mbira to Mozambican cross cultural excursions and much more. The event also includes African theatre, comedy, dance, film and carnival parades in historic Stone Town and Kendwa Beach on the island’s north shore.
Among the artists featured is Bi Kidude, Zanzibar’s most famous cultural ambassador and East Africa’s legendary barefoot diva of Taarab and Unyago traditional music. In October 2005, Bi Kidude was presented with the World Music Expo (WOMEX) lifetime achievement award. She appears as a special guest every year. A trailer from the award-winning film about her, called As Old As My Tongue, is also included as part of the extras on the DVD.
Also included are Chibite, a group founded by the late Dr Hukwe Ubi Zawose (1938 – 2003), the legendary singer and multi-instrumentalist and master musician specialising in Wagogo music from central Tanzania. Dr Zawose and Chibite have represented Tanzania at many international events since the early nineties, with many successful cultural missions. They were regularly championed by Peter Gabriel, after recording at his Real World Studios in UK.
Another special highlight is Culture Musical Club who are not only the largest, but also the most prolific and successful Taarab orchestra of Zanzibar. In addition to innumerable performances in Stonetown, villages of Zanzibar and on Tanzania mainland, this group has toured internationally with outstanding success, winning over audiences in France, Belgium, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, USA, the Arab Emirates and Reunion with their lush sound and dedicated performance of songs and instrumental solos.
Other prolific artists include the likes of Zimbabwean Mbira Queen Chiwoniso who performs with The Collaboration on the track Urombo. Bongo Flava pioneers Juma Nature and Ferooz are also featured. World music favourites Jagwa Music and Kilimanjaro Band also add their unique flavour to the multi-faceted compilation.
Yusuf Mahmoud, director of Busara Promotions (who organise the festival) first arrived in Zanzibar from the United Kingdom in 1998 to help organise the first edition of Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF). This later evolved into the annual Festival of the Dhow Countries, taking place in Zanzibar around the beginning of July each year. Whilst spending five years organising the music and performing arts programme of ZIFF, he realised that there was room on the island for another annual festival, and the need for an event which would focus in particular on showcasing the broad spectrum of music that is created in East Africa. Hence the birth of Sauti za Busara.
The DVD gives an insight into Zanzibar’s rich and often complex cultural heritage. It describes how the former centre of the slave and spice trades came about as a result of the amalgamation of different cultures. Over the centuries Bantu-speaking Africans, Persians, Arabs, Indians, Portuguese and the British have all been a part of Zanzibar’s history. The music history is largely influenced by the fusion of African and Arab cultures to create Taarab, of which groups like the internationally renowned Culture Music Club are a popular exponent.
The film features interviews with Yusuf Mahmoud who explains how ”the festival is a rare example of the regeneration of African pride and identity.” Interviews are also conducted with African filmmakers, African music industry professionals and performing artists who give their take on the success of the festival. In addition to this, the extras on the DVD include highlights of the festival from each of the years since it began in 2004.
http://www.fourthworld.co.uk
http://www.busaramusic.com