AP PHOTOS: A new generation of Maasai warriors is born in Kenya
AP PHOTOS: A new generation of Maasai warriors is born in Kenya
Children of the Maasai tribe perform a traditional jumping dance during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya, Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men from Maasai tribe perform the traditional dance during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe are fed meat, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Isaac Mpusia, 16 years old, of the Maasai tribe poses for a photo, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A Maasai child walk around a manyatta (traditional Maasai homestead) during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Maasai children line up during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe gather around during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe gather on an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe slaughter a bull to be roasted and eaten, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe paint their hair with the traditional red ochre pigment, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform a ritual, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe play football in an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Maasai children sit in a circle as elders roast meat during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform a traditional dance, during a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Samuel Noorkairish, 15 years old, of the Maasai tribe poses for a photo, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe sit down in a circle, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe walk around an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe carry a ram to be roasted and eaten, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform traditional dance, during a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe perform a traditional jumping dance during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya, Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe perform a traditional jumping dance during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya, Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men from Maasai tribe perform the traditional dance during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men from Maasai tribe perform the traditional dance during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe are fed meat, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe are fed meat, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Isaac Mpusia, 16 years old, of the Maasai tribe poses for a photo, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Isaac Mpusia, 16 years old, of the Maasai tribe poses for a photo, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A Maasai child walk around a manyatta (traditional Maasai homestead) during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A Maasai child walk around a manyatta (traditional Maasai homestead) during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Maasai children line up during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Maasai children line up during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe gather around during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe gather around during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe gather on an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe gather on an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe slaughter a bull to be roasted and eaten, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe slaughter a bull to be roasted and eaten, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe paint their hair with the traditional red ochre pigment, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe paint their hair with the traditional red ochre pigment, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform a ritual, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform a ritual, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe play football in an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe play football in an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Maasai children sit in a circle as elders roast meat during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Maasai children sit in a circle as elders roast meat during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform a traditional dance, during a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform a traditional dance, during a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Samuel Noorkairish, 15 years old, of the Maasai tribe poses for a photo, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Samuel Noorkairish, 15 years old, of the Maasai tribe poses for a photo, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe sit down in a circle, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe sit down in a circle, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe walk around an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Children of the Maasai tribe walk around an open field, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe carry a ram to be roasted and eaten, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe carry a ram to be roasted and eaten, during the Enkipaata ceremony, a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Thursday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform traditional dance, during a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Men of the Maasai tribe perform traditional dance, during a Maasai male rite of passage, specifically the initiation of boys, marking the transition from childhood to becoming a moran (warrior) in Olaimutiai, Narok County, Kenya Wednesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
OLAIMUTIAI, Kenya (AP) — Boys become warriors in an ancient initiation ceremony in Kenya’s Maasai community. This rite of passage is known as “Enkipaata.” It has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO but has had to adapt to modern times.
The training was traditionally a year and involved. But now it’s been condensed to a month time to coincide with school holidays. The latest cohort is made up of 900 teenage boys. This new generation of Maasai leaders faces unique challenges.
Kenya’s 1.2 million Maasai people are profoundly affected both by climate change and the shrinking of the grazing land available to them both because of urbanization and agricultural expansion.
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