Maa governors agree to hold annual cultural festival

Maa governors have announced plans of holding an annual cultural festival week as a way of upholding their cultural practices.

The ceremony, according to Patrick Ntutu (Narok), Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), and Jonathan Lelelit (Samburu) will be held on a rotational basis in the three counties.

“As we embrace unity among ourselves as Maa leaders we have also decided to create a cultural week that will be rotating yearly among the three counties before we finally push for more recognition as a UNESCO heritage centre,” said Lelelit.

Apart from the culture, the county chief said will be fostering unity among the leaders and the community by sharing diverse cultures.

The governors spoke at a Maasai cultural Manyatta for Ilkileku morans at Osinoni in Transmara West, Kilgoris.

The more than 500 morans are set to graduate next week to adulthood after undergoing the initiation process.

Environment and forestry cabinet secretary Soipan Tuya who was present supported the move saying the community has a rich cultural heritage that should be preserved for posterity.

This year's ceremony- Emanyatta Eunooto- was organized in honour of the age group to usher them into a new phase in life and level of responsibility in society.

It is conducted every five to seven years during which the initiates receive their final blessing from their elders.