Watha hunter escapes angry elephant
From: Paula Kahumbu
Series: AFRICA'S WILDEST STORIES
Length: 07:10
- Playing
- Watha hunter escapes angry elephant
- From
- Paula Kahumbu
I interviewed Bashora Galgalo in Amboseli National Park, hundreds of kilometers away from his home of Ndololo. He is a room steward at the Tawi Hotel. But he was born a Watha hunter. The Watha, sometimes called Sanye, believe that they originally came from Shungwaya in Ethiopia and then settled in Iwizoon of the banks of the Tana River where they are currently settled within the Lamu and Tana River districts. Bashora recalls his childhood growing up in the wilderness, it is a world apart from the one he lives in today. With one foot in the past and one in the future, Bashora recalls his early years.
Not much is known about the Watha people. The community is made up of 7 clans: Walunku, Wamanka, Ebalawa, Ilam, Digilima, Simtumi, and Radhotu – speaking in sharp dialects that can compare to Xhosa in South Africa.
They were hunter gatherers that survived in forests along the Tana River where they harvest foods and medicines. In 1977 when hunting was banned the tribe abandoned hunting and gathering and took on farming. The Watha practice a mixture of Islam and animism, and have a low literacy rate. Fewer than 11,000 of the Watha people remain in Kenya. They are a tribe that is about to go extinct.
Also in the AFRICA'S WILDEST STORIES series
Wild Dogs in Laikipia, Kenya
(07:22)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Laikipia's pack of 40+ wild dogs was spotted by Tinai Kogo a driver for the Mpala Research Centre. He then explains the way in which they rear their young as well as their ...
Naibor Mzee Tells Stories To School Children
(06:44)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Charles Mwangi Maina, the chairman of Naibor Primary School, tells the members of the conservation club stories from his past of Hyena and Chimpanzee. The students recite ...
Dramatic Crowned Eagle Capture
(04:33)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Simon Thomsett describes one of the most dramatic moments of his life when a crowned eagle sunk it's talons through his forearm as he tried to get it down from a tree.
Crowned Eagle's Cataract Surgery
(06:16)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Simon Thomsetts Crowned Eagle - Rosey, a 38 year old male, went completely blind due to catarax in both of his eyes. After a successful eye surgery and laser treatment his ...
Samburu's Animal Clans
(05:39)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Lenkakwai Sapiyon explains how in Samburu culture each family was associated with an animal clan. Following this association, Lenkakwai tells us a few tales passed down ...
Life as a Chimpanzee Keeper
(08:16)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Joseph Mayo was hired as the first chimpanzee keeper for the Sweet Waters Chimpanzee Sanctuary at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in 1993 and has worked with the orphaned ...
Giant Baby Verreaux Eagle Owl
(05:48)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Simon Thomsett describes the life of a Verreaux Eagle Owl whilst holding a two month old baby. At already 2 foot tall, the baby owl will grow to be the biggest Eagle Owl in Kenya.
Naibor Children Sing in Thanks
(02:29)
From: Paula Kahumbu
The children of the Naibor Primary School sing a religious song to thank Paula Kahumbu for donating seven Owen and Mzee story books to their conservation club.
Kenya's Owen and Mzee- Their friendship revealed
(02:16)
From: Paula Kahumbu
After the release of the second book 'Owen and Mzee: the Language of Friendship,' a letter from a young girl was received which explained how the bizarre friendship actually ...
Life as an Elephant Nanny
(22:45)
From: Paula Kahumbu
Mishak Nzimbi, of the Kamba tribe, is unique. He loves elephants. He has been an elephant keeper since he was 16 years old. He works at the David Sheldrick Trust. He has ...
Related Pieces
Piece Description
I interviewed Bashora Galgalo in Amboseli National Park, hundreds of kilometers away from his home of Ndololo. He is a room steward at the Tawi Hotel. But he was born a Watha hunter. The Watha, sometimes called Sanye, believe that they originally came from Shungwaya in Ethiopia and then settled in Iwizoon of the banks of the Tana River where they are currently settled within the Lamu and Tana River districts. Bashora recalls his childhood growing up in the wilderness, it is a world apart from the one he lives in today. With one foot in the past and one in the future, Bashora recalls his early years.
Not much is known about the Watha people. The community is made up of 7 clans: Walunku, Wamanka, Ebalawa, Ilam, Digilima, Simtumi, and Radhotu – speaking in sharp dialects that can compare to Xhosa in South Africa.
They were hunter gatherers that survived in forests along the Tana River where they harvest foods and medicines. In 1977 when hunting was banned the tribe abandoned hunting and gathering and took on farming. The Watha practice a mixture of Islam and animism, and have a low literacy rate. Fewer than 11,000 of the Watha people remain in Kenya. They are a tribe that is about to go extinct.
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Africa's Wildest Stories is a collection of oral history's from Africa by WildlifeDirect
OUTRO:Thank you for listening. If you would like to support this project, please make a donation on wildlifedirect.org
Related Website
