Take Maasais’ kick off furious reaction

MARC NKWAME in Arusha

THE Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has succeeded to control anthrax infections in the area, according to Deputy Conservator Dr Maurus Msuha. Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.

It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptoms begin between one day and two months after the infection is contracted.

Characteristics of the skin form are a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black centre.

The inhalation one is associated with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The intestinal form is linked to diarrhoea which may contain blood, abdominal pains, and nausea and vomiting.

“In an area where humans, wildlife and livestock ‘brush shoulders,’ infectious diseases are inevitable, but the management of Ngorongoro Conservation Area have managed to curb such maladies, including the deadly ‘anthrax,’” Mr Msuha said.

Meanwhile, the Maasai who earn their living by plaiting women’s hair in Zanzibar, Morogoro and Dar-es-salaam, have been disowned by ‘fellow’ community members here, who dismiss them as mere actors.

“We are taking this opportunity to warn those actors claiming to be members of the Maasai Community while in reality they neither speak the language, nor know our culture; dressing in Maasai shukas does not make one a Maasai,” the Chairman of Ngorongoro Pastoralists Community, Mr Edward Maura, said.

Speaking during the recent ‘Tourism Investors Forum’ organised by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mr Maura expressed misgivings over the conduct of the presumed Maasai of Dar-es-salaam who operated as hair dressers, contrary to the community’s traditions, culture and dignity.

“Our morans take care of livestock, go hunting and conduct masculine chores such as protecting families and society against attacks from enemies or ferocious animals.

It is a taboo for a Maasai man to get close to or become intimate with a woman who is not his wife and start plaiting her hair,” fumed Mr Maura.

He asked the authorities to deal with fake Maasai herbal medicine sellers who claimed to originate from Monduli, Simanjiro or Ngorongoro.