The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography

by Tepilit Ole Saitoti

Book Overview

An autobiographical memoir revealing the traditional childhood, adolescence, and coming of age in Maasailond also documents the author's life on the plains of the Serengeti and his education and experiences as he journeyed to Europe and America

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520063252
• ISBN13: 9780520063259
• Release Date: October 1988
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

If you're going to Tanzania...

Read this! It's wonderful!

Bridging two worlds.

There couldn't be two more different places than New York City and the lands of the Maasai in Tanzania. Tepilit Ole Saitoti's story of his journey in and between these two worlds is fascinating. I am looking forward to the update he is writing now that he is a Maasai Elder. This insight into another land and culture is a gift.

The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior: An Autobiography

Excellent book, very accurate and really worth the money. It gives the picture of a boy growing up as a real Maasai and the new life in civilized world of Germany and USA - a man between two cultures and the difficult question to decide which way to go along. Makes yourself wondering about the way we Western people are living and gives a chance to see our world with other eyers. After having visited the Maasai area some months ago a good opportunity to compare facts with my own experience and found it even more interesting. Go for it!

One of the most profound books I've ever read

I read this book as part of an anthropology course I was taking recently and was totally enthralled with it. Seeing American culture through the eyes of someone from such a vastly different background made for excellent reading. The depiction of the author's life in Africa was exceptional, making a Western reader, like myself, realize how many common threads we all hold with the whole of humanity. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Fantastic! Required reading pre-safari

This is a fantastic book by a Maasai warrior who was brought up traditionally, schooled in local schools, employed as a park warden and tourist guide, and then able to fulfill his dream of education in Germany and the U.S. Not only does he give us a view of his culture, he shows us our culture through his eyes. The book is both a well-written view of what the traditional Maasai life is like, as well as their sense of values, and the life story of Tepilit himself and his reactions as he grew up Maasai, and was introduced to modern life and technology. It will broaden ANYONE'S understanding of this culture, but would be especially valuable reading pre-safari. For instance, on safari you'll see young Maasai in the ceremonial black clothing who have recently been circumcised. With this book you'll understand the full significance of that ceremony.