The Adventure at Simba Hill by Susan Runholt

Author:Susan Runholt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2011-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

18

Odd Things at a Maasai Village

“There are a few things I should tell you about this village you will visit,” Bernard said. It was more than an hour later, we were getting close to the village, and Lucas was getting more and more excited.

“Most Maasai people do not welcome visitors to their villages, and many do not like to have their pictures taken. But in this village, visitors are welcome, and anyone is allowed to take pictures. Of course, you are expected to leave a tip if you use your camera.”

Tips had become no big deal. We were getting used to leaving them. Ever since our plane had landed we’d been giving dollar bills as tips to anyone who did even the smallest thing for us.

“All tips should be left with Jamison, the man who is the head of the village.”

Lucas and I looked at each other. Sam hadn’t mentioned that all the tips went directly to Jamison. I wondered if he knew.

“And they have a gift shop where you can buy things made by Maasai people from many miles around. The Maasai traditionally have made their living raising livestock. But the drought we have had here in Kenya for many years has made it more and more difficult for the animals to find food, so the people have had to make crafts and sell them. But I should warn you: much of what is displayed at the gift shop has not been made by the Maasai people at all, so be careful what you buy. Some of it is high quality, some of it is very badly made.”

“Even if that’s true, if the people around here are so poor, it still seems good that this village is willing to welcome tourists and have a gift shop, if they sell at least some things that are made by the Maasai,” Lucas said. Obviously she was wondering what Bernard would say to this.

“Oh, the village does all right. They take a cut of everything they sell,” Bernard said. I wasn’t sure, but I thought maybe his voice sounded a little sarcastic. I noticed that he never really said anything bad about anybody. I admired him for not gossiping, even if I wanted to know more than he was telling us.

“Was it Jamison’s idea to have the tourists visit this village?” Lucas asked. Again her voice sounded completely innocent, as if she didn’t know the things Sam had told us about Jamison.

“Yes, he is very good at making money for his village.”

“Are they getting rich, then?” I asked.

Bernard didn’t answer right away. Finally he said, “I do not know what happens to the money.”

He changed the subject. “Lucas, you are very interested in the tribes. What do you know about the Maasai culture?” Lucas was obviously thrilled he had asked her this question, because she started talking really fast again, like she had when she’d talked about the Rift Valley. “Well, first, they’re a little like the Native Americans back where we

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