Introduction to Facing the Lion Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna By Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton By Laura Roth November 2008

Have you ever wondered… *What it is like to grow up in another part of the world? *What it would be like to live away from your family? *What it is like to grow up in a different culture?

Kenya Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton grew up in northern Kenya, a country in Africa. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi which is a Maa word meaning cold.

Lekuton is a Maasai who grew up in a nomadic tribe. His journey led him away from his home as he pursued his education eventually attending Harvard.

A Masai Warrior and Cattle Dandftravel. (2006, September 29). Flickr. Dandftravel’s photostream. Retrieved November 2, 2008 from

Lekuton’s Culture “My people speak the Maa language, which is why we are called Maasai. There are many subgroups within the Maa culture, including mine, the Ariaal. The Ariaal is actually a mixture of two groups, the Samburu and the Rendille. My mother is Rendille; my father was Samburu.” -Joseph Lekuton, p. 19

A Maasai Home CokeeOrg. (2006, December 16). Flickr. CokeeOrg’s Photostream. Retrieved on November 2, 2008 from

Nomads “We’re nomads: We live where it’s best for the cattle, where there’s good grass and water, away from disease and pests. If the grass runs out or the water dries up, we move. If there’s better grazing land somewhere else, we move.” -Joseph Lekuton, p. 19

A Masai Elder, Dances, and Homes Archivalproject. (2004, October 19-20). Flickr. Archivalproject’s Photostream. Retrieved November 2, 2008, from

Are you ready to start reading?

First, meet Joseph Lekuton. In this video clip, Lekuton discusses how he started school, his educational pathway, and his future plans.