Maasai in Kenya are using their love for the game to raise awareness of social injustices in their community. They are actively campaigning against destructive practices such as female genital mutilation and early childhood marriages
Stunning photos show ‘Maasai Cricket Warriors‘ display their bowling prowess as they use sport to campaign against FGM. The Maasai Cricket Warriors from Laikipia Maasai in Kenya are using their love for the game to convey messages and awareness against social injustices in their community.
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They are actively campaigning against degenerating and destructive cultural practices such as FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and early childhood marriages, which are vigorously donating to the spread and increase in the cases of HIV/AIDS. The warriors use cricket to empower girls and woman, target substance and alcohol abuse, animal poaching and strive to build peace amongst communities.
The sport was introduced by Aliya Bauer, a South African woman conducting research in the area who was missing the sport she loved. She brought over some equipment from her home country and started teaching the locals to play. Team captain Sonyanga Ole Ng’ais said the sport came naturally to him and his fellow Maasai warriors.
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Sonyanga Ole Ng’ais, the captain of the Masaai Cricket Warriors, speaks to the team during a practice session at Endana
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Leshan Meshami of the Masaai Cricket Warriors looks on during a practice session at Endana
The wicketkeeper holds a cricket ball
Matayian Denis of the Masaai Cricket Warriors bowls during a practice session at Endana
Sonyanga Ole Ng’ais captain of the Masaai Cricket Warriors bats during a practice session at Endana
The Masaai Cricket Warriors practise
Sonyanga Ole Ng’ais speaks to Leshan Meshami
Tony Kishoyian of the Masaai Cricket Warriors poses for the camera
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Sonyanga Ole Ng’ais captain of the Masaai Cricket Warriors plays a shot during a practice session at Endana
The Warriors have used their fame and athletic success to promote women’s rights in their community
Sonyanga Ole Ng’ais, captain of the Masaai Cricket Warriors, turns his arm over during a practice session
The Maasai Cricket Warriors travel to different communities with cricket and an important message
Since they first learned cricket in 2007, the Maasai Cricket Warriors have become a semi-professional team
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The Warriors said getting to grips with the sport came naturally and that bowling was ‘like throwing a spear’
The players for the Warriors all come from Il Polei and the neighboring Endana village
The Warriors actively campaign against degenerating and destructive cultural practices such as FGM
Litemulani Mamai of the Masaai Cricket Warriors plays a shot during the team’s practice session
Litemulani Mamai leaps in the air before throwing down his delivery during the practice session
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Memusi Christopher of the Masaai Cricket Warriors releases the ball during the team’s practice session
The team use the sport to empower girls and women, target substance and alcohol abuse
The Warriors have become ambassadors for positive change within their communities
Francis Ole Meshami, captain of the Maasai Cricket Warriors, watches the ball bounce towards him on the Kenyan plains
The Maasai were taking part in a two day tournament with the British Army Training Unit in Kenya
Members of the Maasai Cricket Warrior pose with the last surviving northern male white rhino, named ‘Sudan’
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The tournament was designed to raise awareness about the plight of Sudan, who needs 24-hour protection from poachers
The rhino population of Africa has been catastrophically devastated by poachers over the last few decades
The tournament was played in the wilds of Laikipia county’s 90,000 acre Ol-Pejeta Conservancy
The tournament was also designed to show the global reach of cricket
The event organisers hope to raise more than $1million Kenyan Shillings from this year’s tournament
A Maasai warrior celebrates. The Maasai warriors occupy a total land area of around 160,000 acres in Kenya and Tanzania
The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people who have lived for decades under a communal land system
Their traditional pastoral lifestyles have become increasingly difficult to maintain due to the modern world
A Maasai Cricketer straps his leg protection on as he prepares to play
The Maasai have become famous for their traditional red garments
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Maasai society is now facing many social-economic and political challenges
It is hoped the charity will raise awareness and money about the plight of the northern white rhinos
Help the MAASAI WARRIOR towards His Uni Education
Source: dailymail.co.uk , theguardian.com ,
