Our stay
in the caldera (Ngorongoro Crater) was the last allowed by the
Tanzanian government. The 4 campsites were complete with poured
concrete base, running water, flushing toilets and a great shower
that actually had hot water! However, the Tanzanian government
decided (1) that nighttime stays were too intrusive for the animals,
and (2) that the Maasai who bring their cattle through the crater to
graze would be happier if tourists were not "living" there - we have
entered Tanzanian Maasai steppe, where I was in full safari gear with
a young woman who was about to embark on the next stage of her life. Although she was in an English school at age 13, her father had
determined to accept the Chief's offer to make her his third wife.
She had no choice in the matter, but was very unhappy about it. As
late as 1980, a Maasai girl this age would not have been allowed to
decorate her lower ears, or to wear the long chains (equivalent to
the offer of an engagement ring) and coiled brass bracelets of adult
women. - The Chief's brother was about two feet taller and twenty
years younger than the Chief, but marriage to the Chief was much more
desirable to the young girl's father. The Maasai men of warrior and
junior elder rank traditionally wear striped or plaid red robes
(called kangas), some printed in India, but most woven.
Ngorongoro Tourist Information
- Photos Tanzania ...
