- Playing
- Maasai lion hunt
- From
- Paula Kahumbu
This is one of Africa's Wildest Stories recorded in the field on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Mzee Mepukori was attending a wedding and agreed to be interviewed by a young educated Maasai Sammy. The lion hunt described no longer occurs in it's traditional form. The aim of the Africa's Greatest Stories project is to create an online living audio oral history of wildlife related stories told by people who live or have lived in Africa. The project will involve young people interviewing older generations in families, across generations, cultures and races. Many of the stories will be told by a generation of elders who were born before independence into a very different conditions of environment, society, culture and education. Now 50 years after independence, those experiences and the wisdom of the elders is in real danger of being lost. Their real life stories will be recorded and heard via radio and internet exactly the way they were originally told.
The result will be the passing on of knowledge to younger generations who will fall in love with Africa’s spectacular wildlife heritage and to call them into action to delight in the natural environment and to defend it against further losses. This project will also create cultural continuity by storing and sharing stories from the older generations even after they pass. This project will safeguard these memories in the form of audio and visual stories, accounts, narratives and experiences told by those who experienced them and retold to this and future unborn generations exactly the way they were originally told.
This project aims to make the connection between our extraordinary cultural and biological diversity and to recognize it as a vital part of Africa’s heritage. If we fail to record our history from those alive today, we will lose important lessons from the past, we may never value what is left, or even know what we have lost.
If you would like to support or participate in the project email paula@wildlifedirect.org
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
This is one of Africa's Wildest Stories recorded in the field on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Mzee Mepukori was attending a wedding and agreed to be interviewed by a young educated Maasai Sammy. The lion hunt described no longer occurs in it's traditional form. The aim of the Africa's Greatest Stories project is to create an online living audio oral history of wildlife related stories told by people who live or have lived in Africa. The project will involve young people interviewing older generations in families, across generations, cultures and races. Many of the stories will be told by a generation of elders who were born before independence into a very different conditions of environment, society, culture and education. Now 50 years after independence, those experiences and the wisdom of the elders is in real danger of being lost. Their real life stories will be recorded and heard via radio and internet exactly the way they were originally told.
The result will be the passing on of knowledge to younger generations who will fall in love with Africa’s spectacular wildlife heritage and to call them into action to delight in the natural environment and to defend it against further losses. This project will also create cultural continuity by storing and sharing stories from the older generations even after they pass. This project will safeguard these memories in the form of audio and visual stories, accounts, narratives and experiences told by those who experienced them and retold to this and future unborn generations exactly the way they were originally told.
This project aims to make the connection between our extraordinary cultural and biological diversity and to recognize it as a vital part of Africa’s heritage. If we fail to record our history from those alive today, we will lose important lessons from the past, we may never value what is left, or even know what we have lost.
If you would like to support or participate in the project email paula@wildlifedirect.org
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