I am beautiful" , was the proud and self confident comment of this Maasai women when she was looking into the mirror. I still shiver when I am thinking of this moment; such a strong statement and so true. This moment was a life changer for me.

I just turned 18 when I undertook my first travel to Africa - Kenya and Tanzania. Tourism in those days was not much developed and travelling up country was quite an adventure. The scanned prints represent a trip to Longido to visit a Maasai settlement still living in a traditional way. This visit was only possible due to the arrangement of a pastor in Longido and his son Leinot who themselves were descendants of the Maasai. Leinot was also our guide (gentlemen with black pullover and white hut). It was not an easy trip - the men were very reserved and we were not allowed to take photos of them (only with the fish eye I was able to do a candid shot). The female were much more open, almost coquettish. On advise of the pastor in Longido we brought two goats and some glass perls for the wonderful, coulourful dresses of the Maasai women. One goat was immediately slaughtered and offered as a sign of the Maasai hospitality. I still memorise this trip even after 50 years as a life changing experience; an experience which triggered my wanderlust.

Photographer:
rolfmg
Uploaded:
2024-09-04
City:
Longido
Country/region:
Tanzania
Year:
1972
Albums:
I am beautiful - an african story from 1972