Showers of Maasai Blessings
My husband and I recently celebrated a very special anniversary and as I reflected on how we would mark this lovely occasion, I couldn’t help but reminisce about our previous one. That was one truly amazing celebration! And I began to wonder…how would we top that? Did I even want to top it, or did I just want to make sure we honoured this magnificent milestone? And how would I do whatever it is I wanted to do within the confines of a pandemic? And so began my walk down memory lane.
For as long as I can remember, I have loved parties, celebrations, get-togethers, bashes, shindigs (you get the idea) and, in particular, the ones that celebrated a special occasion or tradition. That’s not to say that I don’t love a good social or family gathering for no particular reason at all other than to enjoy some wine, tea, coffee, or…wine. I love them all, but I especially love the big ones, you know, the ones where you get to really dress up (more than usual), drink champagne (more than you probably should), nibble on some sort of cake or dainty sweet nothings (more than…well, just more…they’re only sweet nothings after all). And of course, mark the special day or event with traditions, ceremonies and customs.
For me, the really BIG one has been my wedding and yes, you guessed it, it is an anniversary of that wonderful day that I am referring to. Celebrating our anniversary every year has become its own tradition. The tradition of being together with each other, with the definitive clinking of glasses filled with something bubbly or bold, all while savoring some fantastic food (the private chef’s table at the Ritz was one such distinct highlight). The tradition has also often included dinners and parties with family and friends. And whether it was organic or intentional, our anniversary tradition has become intertwined with travel.
Whenever possible, we’ve ventured off somewhere, sometimes on short jaunts and sometimes on longer adventures (actually they never feel long enough, do they?). There are so many trips that I can think of. But perhaps I’ll mention a few that we planned for significant-numbered anniversaries (I think they’re all significant but it’s nice to focus on some roundish numbers). Our tenth anniversary is forever linked to our very first visit to Italy. On our twentieth, we trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, followed by some well-deserved pampering in Koh Samui. And for our twenty fifth, we had a private Maasai blessing/renewal of vows ceremony while on our first luxury safari in Africa.
And now as I consider this current anniversary (I’m sure you can guess which number that is), I find myself re-living our Maasai ceremony in my heart and mind and reflecting on what made it so uniquely special. Is it just that I love exchanging vows and saying lovey-dovey words to my honey-bunny again and again? Absolutely! I would marry my high-school sweetheart of a husband again and again.
Could it also be that I love ceremonies and celebrations? For sure. I mean, I was married twice on the same day! That’s right – twice. On the same day. Okay, so I had two ceremonies – a Sikh and a Catholic wedding to honour our respective cultures (and to make our parents happy). Bonus: getting to wear two totally awesome wedding gowns.
Or is it the connections you make with the people and places you travel to, the joy you find in experiencing and sharing their traditions and customs, and the resulting indescribable depth of emotion that swells inside you? A simple and heartfelt yes.
I think it was all these elements that coalesced to create an experience like no other. And yet, there was also an implicit essence of familiarity…the presence and importance of traditions and customs.
The Preplanning
Once we’d decided on what we felt was the perfect place to stay in the Maasai Mara (Angama Mara), our ideas were already percolating about how we could create some special moments to mark our anniversary. Our luxury safari was arranged by Ker & Downey (LuxVenture Trips) who specialize in tailor-made excursions, so we asked them if it would be possible to have a Maasai ceremony for our anniversary. I loved that their response was:
“We haven’t had this kind of request before and we’re excited to see how we can make this happen.”
And so they did their magic behind the scenes, contacting the lodge and refining the details. Angama Mara was delighted to arrange the Maasai blessing ceremony for us, and they assured us they would take care of all the details. True to their word, their preparations began with a request for our measurements…so that they could make traditional Maasai attire for us! How wonderful is that!
When we arrived at the lodge, the manager quickly and efficiently (so as to not take any time away from our safari activities) went over the timing details of the ceremony with us. There really was nothing we had to do but show up! Having planned my two weddings and the reception, it was a welcomed switch to let someone else do the planning. How refreshing and completely unstressful!
The Lead-up
Precisely at 3:45pm,(as I had been told), three lovely Maasai ladies (Elizabeth, and her daughters Mary and Margaret) came to our room to help me dress in the tailor-made traditional blouse, skirt and cape. While I marveled at the exquisite patterns and beading and the Maasai craftsmanship, the ladies quickly got to work. Much giggling ensued as we tucked and cinched, making sure everything fit just so. Next, they adorned me with the joyously colorful and beautifully beaded necklace and bracelets that had been made just for me. And then, as the final touch, slowly, carefully, and if I may say, affectionately, they secured the headpiece.
There was a momentary silence, and we were suspended in its stillness. I was back with my family and friends on the morning of my wedding, being helped into my langa, bangles being slipped gently over my mehndi-decorated hands, and a gold tikka tenderly affixed in my hair to lie shimmering on my forehead. Elizabeth sighed softly and murmured, “You look beautiful,” before turning to Mary: “I remember when we did this for you.”
In that moment, we were bound together through our shared memories and traditions. It was only natural that hugs followed. I barely had a chance to say, “thank you” before Margaret excitedly grabbed my hand to pull me along, “Come on, let’s go!”
And hmmm…where before I have heard the words she laughingly spoke as we were heading off… “I can’t wait until it’s my day!”
The Blessing Ceremony
In a flurry of organized activity with that almost palpable pre-celebration excitement, we were whisked off in a safari vehicle for a quick transport to the ceremony site. As I stepped down from the jeep and looked up, my breath caught. “Majestic”, “beautiful”, “humbling”, were the words that came to mind as we were greeted by the two Maasai elders and the large group of Maasai Warriors and Maidens, draped in magnificent Maasai red, fanned out in a semi-circle. A deep rhythmic sound began as the group began to sing and escort us to where the ceremony would be performed. Smiling at each other, holding hands, my husband and I glided along. There was such joy in me at this moment. Margaret had kept close and perhaps she felt some of my energy. She took my hand as we began walking.
“Are you nervous?” she asked. “No,” I gushed, “I’m just so happy right now.” Her answering grin I am certain matched my own.
We had only been walking for a few minutes when I felt a few rain drops, absolutely nothing to even blink at. Or so I thought. Immediately, the singing ceased. The group stopped walking. Maasai words were being spoken rapidly. There was an undeniable sense of elation. Margaret was nearly jubilant. “What’s going on?” I asked her.
“Oh, but this is wonderful! You are blessed, you are blessed!”
And then she explained that the Maasai consider rain on your wedding day to be a sign of immense blessings. Just in that moment, the rain turned to a light shower. Umbrellas miraculously appeared. More excitement followed. The showers came, sprinkled their blessings and after having done their duty, went merrily on their way after only a brief moment. The singing resumed and on we walked (possibly with even more buoyancy) to arrive moments later at Angama Mara’s beautifully chosen site for the ceremony.
The Boma couldn’t be more perfect, with its circular shape capturing the dramatic views overlooking the Maasai Mara Reserve. As we stood facing each other, surrounded by the Maasai, my husband and I exchanged quiet words of love and of gratitude for these 25 amazing years and all the next ones yet to come. They were not an actual renewal of vows for us…our vows were sealed on the day we got married. This was a celebration of those bonds and our love for each other. Tried my hardest not to but yes, I sniffled (kept it under control because as you know runny mascara just looks terrible). We kissed and applause erupted.
We were then asked to be seated as it was now time for the blessing. While I could not understand the words being said, I felt a blissful joy and a sense of peace as the Maasai elder gave the blessings while gently placing his hand on my shoulder and then my husband’s. The elder then asked one of the warriors to translate. There was one final honour we were being given. The elder had decided to give us Maasai names. I was named “Nolari” which means “to celebrate a life event while being blessed by showers” and my husband was given “Olyamanuk” (which I’m probably not spelling correctly, so apologies) which was my name, “Lucky”, in Maasai. How do I even capture the swirling emotions in that moment? I just can’t. Suffice it to say that no matter how hard I batted my eyelashes, some water leaked through.
As I reflect back, there was that familiarity again. Of customs and rituals. Of receiving blessings from the priests and our elders at our wedding ceremonies, surrounded by our family and friends, all while experiencing that rollercoaster of emotions.
And here is one of those life’s funny things that sometimes make you pause - it had rained momentarily on the morning of our wedding on the way to the Sikh ceremony – a sign that is seen as good luck for a marriage in the Indian culture…
The post celebration
The distinctive pop of the champagne cork signaled that it was time for the celebrations to begin. We clinked our glasses, sipped some bubbly while receiving congratulatory cheers from all. We, in turn, expressed our humble gratitude to our Maasai hosts for being given the honour of having them share their culture and customs with us. A brief hush fell over the group when the elder responded, “That you would come from so far, across the ocean, just to have the Maasai bless you…this is an honour for us.”
That special moment was punctuated by the high-pitched sounds from the Maasai group – a cheer of joy and happiness and…a signal that it was time to dance! I was drawn into a group with the ladies, holding hands and swaying to the singing.
And then, it was time for the men. There is nothing more glorious and impressive than seeing the Maasai warriors jump so high into the air, light as a feather! And my honey, not hesitating to go in (and up) when he was invited to join them!
We ended the festivities with a lovely dinner at the lodge. I didn’t want the day to end, so I kept my Maasai clothes and jewelry on. Guests from the lodge were intrigued and came by to chat and extend their good wishes. Champagne, cheers, and congratulations…so, so wonderful…
So, what has this walk down memory lane told me? Well, to be honest, it did make me miss that travel could not be a part of this most recent anniversary. But it also made me appreciate the quieter celebration that we had shared with a very small group of family and friends. It confirmed for me that it is important to mark your occasions, with traditions and customs, whether these be established ones or ones you create yourself. And it’s not only to have the celebration for celebration’s sake, but that it is that very act of honouring that special occasion that ensures that we are not treating it just as another normal day, and have the opportunity to express our joy of being together and not take any of our moments and years together for granted. Lastly, I would add that travel has added unique layers and dimensions to our celebrations; it has allowed for the growth you experience through meeting people from different places – that we are more alike than different yet still unique – and through the sharing of our cultures and traditions.
And so, I look forward...to our next anniversary and to the celebrations, traditions and travel adventures that await…and the new memories yet be made.
I would like to end by thanking all the amazing and kind staff at Angama Mara and especially Azei & Josephat for all their efforts in making our experience so special! Many, many thanks!
In case you may be interested, I plan to write another blog that covers our itinerary for our safari in Kenya, including our experience in the Seychelles which was the final part of this trip.