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Only the Mountains Do Not Move: A Maasai Story of Culture and Conservation
Nobody can say he is settled anywhere forever;
it is only the mountains which do not move from their places.
So goes a Maasai proverb, and so goes the lives of the Maasai in Africa. For hundreds of years they have moved with their herds of cattle and goats across thousands of miles in Kenya and Tanzania.
Today the Maasai face new challenges. Their traditional way of life is threatened, lands are overgrazed, and wildlife is in danger. Maasai tribes are meeting these obstacles head-on adapting their lives and agricultural practices while keeping their vibrant, close-knit culture alive.
Award-winning author-photographer Jan Reynolds presents a striking glimpse of these dynamic people. Only the Mountains Do Not Move shows one Maasai tribe s remarkable ability to forge a delicate balance between the richness of the past and the needs of the future.
it is only the mountains which do not move from their places.
So goes a Maasai proverb, and so goes the lives of the Maasai in Africa. For hundreds of years they have moved with their herds of cattle and goats across thousands of miles in Kenya and Tanzania.
Today the Maasai face new challenges. Their traditional way of life is threatened, lands are overgrazed, and wildlife is in danger. Maasai tribes are meeting these obstacles head-on adapting their lives and agricultural practices while keeping their vibrant, close-knit culture alive.
Award-winning author-photographer Jan Reynolds presents a striking glimpse of these dynamic people. Only the Mountains Do Not Move shows one Maasai tribe s remarkable ability to forge a delicate balance between the richness of the past and the needs of the future.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 6, 2014
A very well written explanation of the Masai culture and how it has evolved with current ecological, climate and current overgrazing problems. Children will enjoy reading and looking at the beautiful photographs to see how the Masai have been able to adapt their traditional lifestyle and still maintain their overall culture.
November 25, 2011
Insightful and interesting. Excellent photographs.
June 21, 2023
This is a well written book for children about the Masai, their traditional culture, modern life, and challenges Masai communities are facing due to modernization and tourism. The photographs enhance the writing and showcase the beautiful people and landscape. Additional resources are included at the end of the book.
August 18, 2024
Highlights Maasai culture and the challenges they are meeting trying to adjust to the limits placed on their nomadic culture, while adopting conservation practices and agriculture.
May 9, 2015
Personal Response: I loved the photographs in this book. They were large, clear, and vivid. Some pages were all photos. They really helped further explain what the text was saying, and they help the reader visualize what life is like for the Maasai people. It uses some short stories about specific people from this culture to make it really relatable. This book was really interesting and I enjoyed learning about this culture.
Purposes:
- ages 6-11
Read Aloud for Curricular Purposes:
- This book would be great for a time when students learn about other cultures, as it describes a culture that most children are not at all familiar with. They live a very different lifestyle and this book helps children see that they are real people who are not weird, just different.
- This book would also be good when studying other countries, particularly if studying Africa (as the Maasai people live in Africa).
- This book is also good because it helps children learn the history of a different culture. A lot of times, they just learn American history over and over again, but it would be good to learn history of other countries, too.
Independent Reading:
- This book would be good to recommend to a student who likes to learn about different cultures and peoples. I know that I am very interested in this, and I think if exposed to it, a lot of children would be, too.
- This book would also be good to recommend to a student who is very set in his/her own ways and does not like to look at things from other people's perspective. The teacher could use this book as a tool to help the student see that every culture or person has a different way of thinking/believing and that is what makes the world such an interesting place.
For nonfiction:
- This book uses very authentic photographs from the everyday life of the Maasai people.
- The author is qualified to write about this culture, because she lived with this group of people for a long time, and learned their stories, history, and way of life. She talks about this in the Author's Note at the end.
- It includes a glossary of terms and their pronunciation at the end of the book, so children can learn some words from English that they may not know, and some Maasai words.
Other:
- This book is told from a diverse perspective, and shows respect for a culture very different from ours.
Purposes:
- ages 6-11
Read Aloud for Curricular Purposes:
- This book would be great for a time when students learn about other cultures, as it describes a culture that most children are not at all familiar with. They live a very different lifestyle and this book helps children see that they are real people who are not weird, just different.
- This book would also be good when studying other countries, particularly if studying Africa (as the Maasai people live in Africa).
- This book is also good because it helps children learn the history of a different culture. A lot of times, they just learn American history over and over again, but it would be good to learn history of other countries, too.
Independent Reading:
- This book would be good to recommend to a student who likes to learn about different cultures and peoples. I know that I am very interested in this, and I think if exposed to it, a lot of children would be, too.
- This book would also be good to recommend to a student who is very set in his/her own ways and does not like to look at things from other people's perspective. The teacher could use this book as a tool to help the student see that every culture or person has a different way of thinking/believing and that is what makes the world such an interesting place.
For nonfiction:
- This book uses very authentic photographs from the everyday life of the Maasai people.
- The author is qualified to write about this culture, because she lived with this group of people for a long time, and learned their stories, history, and way of life. She talks about this in the Author's Note at the end.
- It includes a glossary of terms and their pronunciation at the end of the book, so children can learn some words from English that they may not know, and some Maasai words.
Other:
- This book is told from a diverse perspective, and shows respect for a culture very different from ours.
January 26, 2012
I was surprised to see this book and I didn't hesitate to request it from NetGalley. The Maasai are so private, they insist on continuing their culture despite everything and everyone. I love that about them.
When I studied Linguistics at the University of Oregon, SIL brought a Maasai over for us to learn aspects of their language. I focused on their numbering system, which is based on the livestock. I will never forget hearing the pounding in our ceiling and running up to the guy's hall to see what was going on and finding our Maasai friend showing his roomates how to do the Maasai leap.
I read this book with a specific picture of the their culture in my head from our friend's stories. Many of the things in the book resonated true with me. A family took the author in and showed her a lot of their life.
Some of the book is obviously "nice" keeping it kid-friendly. There is mention of cow dung used in the mud for the huts, but it is discreet compared to what I had heard, which is good. :-) She was similarly discreet regarding their food. She mentions drinking blood, but only in the Author's Note at the back. The danger of the wild African landscape is also downplayed. The women travel in groups and the men are skilled with their spears, but there are only hints at running into lions often. So, kids have a great introduction into this unique culture while adults are given more.
What I enjoyed the most is the details in the day to day life. The author captured things my friend didn't share, like how big their homes are, how big the community, just how free their livestock is to forage. The pictures show them creating bracelets and playing games and how the men stay together in a group. The author captured the every-day life.
She also highlighted how their environment has shrunk and their way of life is threatened and what they are doing to adapt. The stories that are their education have passed on a strong culture generation after generation. They continue to be fiercely their own.
I think there is a lot more that isn't shared, but this book is still a great peak into the Maasai way of life.
When I studied Linguistics at the University of Oregon, SIL brought a Maasai over for us to learn aspects of their language. I focused on their numbering system, which is based on the livestock. I will never forget hearing the pounding in our ceiling and running up to the guy's hall to see what was going on and finding our Maasai friend showing his roomates how to do the Maasai leap.
I read this book with a specific picture of the their culture in my head from our friend's stories. Many of the things in the book resonated true with me. A family took the author in and showed her a lot of their life.
Some of the book is obviously "nice" keeping it kid-friendly. There is mention of cow dung used in the mud for the huts, but it is discreet compared to what I had heard, which is good. :-) She was similarly discreet regarding their food. She mentions drinking blood, but only in the Author's Note at the back. The danger of the wild African landscape is also downplayed. The women travel in groups and the men are skilled with their spears, but there are only hints at running into lions often. So, kids have a great introduction into this unique culture while adults are given more.
What I enjoyed the most is the details in the day to day life. The author captured things my friend didn't share, like how big their homes are, how big the community, just how free their livestock is to forage. The pictures show them creating bracelets and playing games and how the men stay together in a group. The author captured the every-day life.
She also highlighted how their environment has shrunk and their way of life is threatened and what they are doing to adapt. The stories that are their education have passed on a strong culture generation after generation. They continue to be fiercely their own.
I think there is a lot more that isn't shared, but this book is still a great peak into the Maasai way of life.
October 21, 2011
The Maasai are a group of semi-nomadic people who live in Kenya and Tanzania. In the past they traveled thousands of miles with their herds, following rain and growing seasons and seeking out new pastures for their animals. They do not believe in land ownership. Their way of life has had to change with modern times, however. Other people and practices have required them to reduce their grazing territory and herds and adopt new ideas and traditions (small-scale sustainable farming, tourism, etc.) in order to survive. While the Maasai are embracing these changes, they wonder what the future will bring. Jan Reynolds introduces the Maasai people and their culture in this accessible book. Readers will begin to learn about the Maasai through the activities of a family with who Reynolds became close. Bright photographs and smiling Maasai are welcoming and add interest. A positive look at how the Maasai are successfully maintaining their culture and beliefs as they adapt to changes in their environment. Kids interested in other cultures will enjoy this book.
September 22, 2016
Okay so here's what I liked about the book:
-The photographs were brilliant. I love looking at photographs of people from different cultures and different parts of the world.
-I have heard of the Maasai before, but I did not know so much about their culture practices.
-This is a good book for individuals who are beginning to learn about various aspects of the cultures in Eastern Africa.
-It is an easy read. It only took me about 25 minutes to read.
-I loved how the book incorporated the environmental issues associated with the Maasai. They have so much going on and they have to adjust to a new way of life.
What I didn't like:
-I wanted more information, but I suspect that's because this was written more children and not adults.
-I think it watered down some information related to the Maasai and their cultural practices.
Overall it was a good introduction to the Maasai and I definitely will be interested in checking out more information and books related to them.
-The photographs were brilliant. I love looking at photographs of people from different cultures and different parts of the world.
-I have heard of the Maasai before, but I did not know so much about their culture practices.
-This is a good book for individuals who are beginning to learn about various aspects of the cultures in Eastern Africa.
-It is an easy read. It only took me about 25 minutes to read.
-I loved how the book incorporated the environmental issues associated with the Maasai. They have so much going on and they have to adjust to a new way of life.
What I didn't like:
-I wanted more information, but I suspect that's because this was written more children and not adults.
-I think it watered down some information related to the Maasai and their cultural practices.
Overall it was a good introduction to the Maasai and I definitely will be interested in checking out more information and books related to them.
February 11, 2017
A great introduction to another land and culture.
October 30, 2011
The Maasai people of Eastern Africa have cultural traditions steeped in respect for the land and animals around them, but as the world's climate and industries have changed, it's required them to change some of their ways, too. This book explores how one of the Maasai tribes is keeping their cultural traditions alive while still adjusting to the changing world.
February 24, 2012
A photographic essay about the Maasai people in Kenya, traditionally nomadic herders, exploring the contemporary challenges they face, focusing on environmental changes such as overgrazing of land and the threat of wildlife extinction and how the Maasi are adopting their agricultural practices and lifestyles while preserving their culture. (taken from jacket cover, 2011).
July 26, 2012
Beautiful photographic essay concerning the adaptation of the traditional Maasai way of life to the encroachment of the modern world. Proverbs are interspersed among the pages, and includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.
January 5, 2012
I enjoyed this book, a nice introduction to the Maasai. Some of the pictures were a little blurry--like the rhino. However, I think it would be a good introduction for kids.
July 26, 2016
Great introduction to the Maaasai culture with lovely photos and wonderful words-of-wisdom interspersed among stories of daily life.
May 11, 2012
Really interesting book about the Maasai culture and amazing photographs.
July 17, 2012
Summer 2012 #bookaday #35
April 29, 2013
Nice pictures. I like the glossary and pronuciation guide, too.
December 30, 2011
Would be a good pairing with 14 Cows for America...
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews