Living with the Maasai: Lessons from the Bush

When my husband and I look back on our time in Kenya, one of the most unforgettable chapters of our journey was the week we spent trekking and camping with the Maasai. For nearly seven days, we walked through the bush alongside Maasai warriors and tribe members, learning how they live so closely connected to the land. They showed us how they source food, track animals, and survive in the wilderness—a way of life deeply rooted in tradition and resilience.

One of the most striking traditions we learned about was how Maasai warriors come of age. Between the ages of 12 and 18, boys undergo circumcision as a rite of passage and then leave their village to live in the bush for several years. It’s a profound test of courage and independence, shaping them into protectors and providers for their communities. Hearing these stories while walking the same landscapes gave us such deep respect for the Maasai way of life.

At the time of our trek, my husband and I were engaged. To our surprise, on our final night, our Maasai friends decided to honor us with a traditional wedding celebration of their own. It was unlike anything we could have ever imagined. They brought a live goat for the ceremony—an important symbol of life, sustenance, and community in Maasai culture. During the ritual, milk and blood from the goat were offered to drink, and then the goat was slaughtered and roasted for everyone to share in a celebratory feast.

Before the festivities began, the tribe gave us new names as a way of marking the beginning of our new life together. My name became Nanyori, meaning “one who is love,” and my husband was named Lemayon, meaning “one who is blessed.” It was an incredibly moving moment—both intimate and communal—as so many people from the village gathered around to sing, dance, and celebrate with us.

That night will forever stand out as one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives. It wasn’t just about witnessing tradition, but being invited into it - welcomed with open arms and celebrated as part of something much larger than ourselves. Our Maasai trek taught us about survival, strength, and community, but it also gifted us with a wedding memory unlike any other: one filled with love, blessing, and the spirit of the Maasai people. And with our daughter on the way, we thought it was only fitting that we pass on the special name of Nanyori, "one who is loved."