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The Last Maasai Warriors: An Autobiography
How two young Maasai tribesmen became warriors, scholars, and leaders in their community and to the world. They are living testament to a vanishing way of life on the African savannah. Wilson and Jackson are two brave warriors of the Maasai, an intensely proud culture built on countless generations steeped in the mystique of tradition, legend and prophecy. They represent the final generation to literally fight for their way of life, coming of age by proving their bravery in the slaying of a lion. They are the last of the great warriors. Yet, as the first generation to fully embrace the modern ways and teachings of Western civilization, the two warriors have adapted — at times seamlessly, at times with unimaginable difficulty -- in order to help their people. They strive to preserve a disappearing culture, protecting the sanctity of their elders while paving the way for future generations. At this watershed moment in their history, the warriors carry the weight of their forbearers while embracing contemporary culture and technology. While their struggle to achieve this balance unfolds exquisitely in this story, their discoveries resonate well beyond the Maasai Mara.
204 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2012
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194 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 31, 2015
This tale of two Maasai and their friends and family is fascinating, enlightening and filled with hope. The stories that Wilson Meikuaya and Jackson Ntirkana weave throughout the book of their childhood, their culture, the challenges facing both the Maasai and all Kenyans are honest and filled with wisdom beyond their years. This quote from Jackson in Chapter 20 was especially poignant and instructive that the Maasai have much they could teach us:
"...when we share our cultures, we enrich each other's lives. It is not about one culture claiming dominance over another. But about being one with each other, and yet separate. The way you want others to respect and learn from you, do the same for them. On the Mara I was showing foreigners my culture. When I visited Canada, they showed me theirs. It was harmony."
Reading this book and enjoying the learning experiences of Wilson and Jackson was one of the most pleasant book experiences I've had in quite awhile. I sincerely hope that they keep sharing the wisdom of the Maasai as well as their own experiences of maintaining their culture while adapting to a changing world.
"...when we share our cultures, we enrich each other's lives. It is not about one culture claiming dominance over another. But about being one with each other, and yet separate. The way you want others to respect and learn from you, do the same for them. On the Mara I was showing foreigners my culture. When I visited Canada, they showed me theirs. It was harmony."
Reading this book and enjoying the learning experiences of Wilson and Jackson was one of the most pleasant book experiences I've had in quite awhile. I sincerely hope that they keep sharing the wisdom of the Maasai as well as their own experiences of maintaining their culture while adapting to a changing world.
July 15, 2025
An interesting read, a great way to learn more about the Maasai culture.
February 16, 2016
An inspiring story of two young Maasai men who managed to go through school and attended University, a very difficult task since both were also embedded in Maasai culture. Their education was interrupted as they were needed by their families to go on cattle drives to more fertile land.. They learned never to show pain, and underwent the circumcision ceremony as part of the passage to manhood. (Dull knife spread with pepper to increase pain). They were also among the last to be designated Maasai warriors by living in a cave and killing a lion with a spear, a practice since made illegal.
In their settlements they learned the rules of their tribe and their folktales. While at school the made an effort to change some Maasai ways of life.. They spoke of the importance of education for girls, and the stopping of female circumcision which had detrimental effect on health, and that circumcision on young men be conducted at a medical centre by a physician. They also were concerned with environmental matters, such as global warming, deforestation and animal conservation. While doing well in their studies, they were making progress for change. They spoke up against the practice of polygamy, forced marriages and especially very young girls being made to marry much older men.
They proudly explain Maasai culture and beliefs to foreigners. One of the young men wants to become a politician to stop corruption at local levels, and the other aims to be a doctor or teacher. This is an interesting study of Maasai rituals, culture and folk beliefs at a time of upheaval and modernization. This points out how the Maasai lifestyle is being blended with modern ideas, but can still remaining vital, inspired by these two young Maasai warriors. I felt the book may be premature, as it will be interesting to see where their ideas and work leads in the next 20 or 30 years. With so many tribes disrupted and losing their language and culture, these young men are trying to find a balance between tradition and the changing world around them. 3.5 stars
In their settlements they learned the rules of their tribe and their folktales. While at school the made an effort to change some Maasai ways of life.. They spoke of the importance of education for girls, and the stopping of female circumcision which had detrimental effect on health, and that circumcision on young men be conducted at a medical centre by a physician. They also were concerned with environmental matters, such as global warming, deforestation and animal conservation. While doing well in their studies, they were making progress for change. They spoke up against the practice of polygamy, forced marriages and especially very young girls being made to marry much older men.
They proudly explain Maasai culture and beliefs to foreigners. One of the young men wants to become a politician to stop corruption at local levels, and the other aims to be a doctor or teacher. This is an interesting study of Maasai rituals, culture and folk beliefs at a time of upheaval and modernization. This points out how the Maasai lifestyle is being blended with modern ideas, but can still remaining vital, inspired by these two young Maasai warriors. I felt the book may be premature, as it will be interesting to see where their ideas and work leads in the next 20 or 30 years. With so many tribes disrupted and losing their language and culture, these young men are trying to find a balance between tradition and the changing world around them. 3.5 stars
September 30, 2016
The reader is treated to follow along an incredible journey into the lives of 2 young members of the Maasai tribe as they prepare for and become warriors and pay tribute to their unique culture while also learning the ways of the western world and how they use that knowledge to integrate both worlds for the benefit of their people This book isn't scheduled to be released until November but My grandson attended WE day and was able to hear these 2 warriors speak to the audience. Each and every participant received a copy. .I was so privileged to visit a village in the Maasai Mara so I was able to relate to much of what they spoke of and could easily visualize so much of the scenery they described. I encourage the reading of this book if for no other reason than to realize one does not need to have material wealth in order to be rich in character,knowledge and integrity. We have so much to learn from these people
March 2, 2017
I had the honer to meet and work with these Maasai warriors while I was in the Maasai Mara on a dermatology volunteer trip through the We organization. I worked closely with Wilson a Robert and one of the highlights of my trip was learning about the beautiful Maasai culture. I was so glad to learn they had written a book about their journey and experiences. It was really neat to learn about their life and see life from their perspective growing up on the mara as as well as the change that was occurring throughout the whole tribe during their lifetime. I am proud to call them both life long rafiki.
February 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I don't read non fiction very often but found this very interesting. It was an easy read but very inspiring. I would love to see the Maasai Mara and meet Wilson and Jackson!
October 11, 2018
3.5 mehhhhhhhh
September 9, 2020
I LOVED this book. It is such an accessible and fascinating read with incredible insights into Maasai culture. To read and learn firsthand without the influence of western opinions is refreshing because it's not trying to prove anything or make a point, other than just to share the two authors' experience.
I loved how they pushed their families to allow them to go to school because they realised the value of progressivism to their culture, yet in doing so, emphasised that they wanted to evolve while retaining their traditions. They then took the lessons they learned both in school and in the bush and applied them to each other to push the boundaries of their own cultural practices (male & female circumcision, climate change to name a couple). Wilson and Jackson realised and embraced the role they could play in their communities, becoming advocates for change where needed, but holding fast to their culture too.
I definitely want to read more autobiographies from tribal cultures around the world if I can, because it is the only way to read authentically about them. As westerners, we have inherent biases that we insert unknowingly when we write or describe something and we simply cannot do justice to another culture. Such an important read, not only to inform my own copywriting (in working for a luxury safari company), but for anyone who wants to visit Africa or gain a deeper understanding of Maasai culture.
I loved how they pushed their families to allow them to go to school because they realised the value of progressivism to their culture, yet in doing so, emphasised that they wanted to evolve while retaining their traditions. They then took the lessons they learned both in school and in the bush and applied them to each other to push the boundaries of their own cultural practices (male & female circumcision, climate change to name a couple). Wilson and Jackson realised and embraced the role they could play in their communities, becoming advocates for change where needed, but holding fast to their culture too.
I definitely want to read more autobiographies from tribal cultures around the world if I can, because it is the only way to read authentically about them. As westerners, we have inherent biases that we insert unknowingly when we write or describe something and we simply cannot do justice to another culture. Such an important read, not only to inform my own copywriting (in working for a luxury safari company), but for anyone who wants to visit Africa or gain a deeper understanding of Maasai culture.
January 31, 2019
This is the story of two Maasai young men, and their struggle to survive in a unforgiving environment, the Maasai Mara in Kenya which can only sustain the tribes and their cattle until inevitable drought and the long journey to the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania, beleaguered with lions. The Maasai males are raised not to flinch with pain nor to show no fear or this will bring great shame to the family if not the whole village.
The Maasai are ruled by the elders, although very wise, do not know the ways of the world outside of their habitat. However, they have enough wisdom to realise that the world is going through environmental change and have conceded that the young generation needs to be educated in order for their culture to survive. They have great respect for the culture of others which has brought some influence as to how they live.
I personally would like to see the Maasai tribes continue making a bridge with the western world and perhaps we can be influenced by their ways and make amends to how we have mistreated this world. A wonderful read about amazing people.
The Maasai are ruled by the elders, although very wise, do not know the ways of the world outside of their habitat. However, they have enough wisdom to realise that the world is going through environmental change and have conceded that the young generation needs to be educated in order for their culture to survive. They have great respect for the culture of others which has brought some influence as to how they live.
I personally would like to see the Maasai tribes continue making a bridge with the western world and perhaps we can be influenced by their ways and make amends to how we have mistreated this world. A wonderful read about amazing people.
January 20, 2020
An inspiring sharing of two boys experiences growing up as Maasai warriors in a changing world. Having done humanitarian work in third world countries, my favourite quotes from these two young men were:
“What I came to realize . . . is that when we share our cultures, we enrich each other’s lives. It is not about one culture claiming dominance over another. But about being one with each other, and yet separate. The way you want others to respect and learn from you, do the same for them. It (is) harmony.” - Jackson Ntirkana
“There is a saying in Maasai that everything is connected and interconnected. Taleenoi olngisoilechashur, we are all one thing. And it is our responsibility as individuals to make sure we live right and treat everyone around us as if they are our brothers or sisters.” - Wilson Meikuaya
“What I came to realize . . . is that when we share our cultures, we enrich each other’s lives. It is not about one culture claiming dominance over another. But about being one with each other, and yet separate. The way you want others to respect and learn from you, do the same for them. It (is) harmony.” - Jackson Ntirkana
“There is a saying in Maasai that everything is connected and interconnected. Taleenoi olngisoilechashur, we are all one thing. And it is our responsibility as individuals to make sure we live right and treat everyone around us as if they are our brothers or sisters.” - Wilson Meikuaya
October 3, 2024
I visited the Maasai Mara a few years ago and met several Maasai. One young woman introduced me to her brother who had gone to University to become a nature guide and hoped to go herself in a couple years to become a teacher. This book confirmed that young people are the guides the Maasai need to become contributing members of the future Kenya and Tanzania. It also gives the reader a glimpse into how the people live in joy with nature without any of the technology we believe are so important to our lives.
April 29, 2020
It would be hard to imagine anyone who has been part of two such disparate societies than Wilson and Jackson. Just their personal experience coming from traditional Maasai life to the Western world is an amazing journey. But the real story is the leadership and vision they have shown, and their unique ability to inspire incredible changes in their community while embracing the best of their traditional values. I would love to know what Wilson and Jackson are up to now.....and what they will accomplish in the future.
May 27, 2023
Physical Book: Fascinating to hear more about the Maasai culture. I had the pleasure and honor of meeting a Maasai family in Tanzania and this book reminded me about them and my experience with them.
“When we share our cultures, we enrich each other’s lives.”
“When we share our cultures, we enrich each other’s lives.”
August 22, 2019
Great little book. Very interesting and inspiring.
October 12, 2019
The stories these two incredible men tell are vivid and full of the beauty of their culture. I loved learning about their childhoods and their customs.
May 3, 2020
I had the honor of meeting Wilson and Jackson in the Maasai. Story telling time was one of my favourites.
July 13, 2021
Interesting stories from the view of Wilson and Jackson. I wish them well in achieving their goals.
March 26, 2022
Interesting read
February 1, 2024
3.5 stars
March 16, 2016
The world is full of many cultures. One of the most cultured filled places in the world is in the plains of Africa. Where the human race was said to be born, Africa is filled with many tribes that never went to the Western “modern” way of living, keeping to their old culture and way of life. This story is document by Wilson Meikuaya and Jackson Nitirkana, and their journey though growing up as a Maasai, yet wanting to learn about the world and save their culture.
The Maasai culture is quite different that the ones in the Western hemisphere are used to. They are from Kenya, with seventeen different language groups. Their god is a female named Enkai; at whom they prayed for to take care of their cows and guidance. The boys are grown up not allow to show fear or pain, as they are the Maasai Warriors. Even a flinch of pain when getting their baby teeth pulled would bring shame on the family. They go the first several years of life without a name. When the parents think the child is old enough they are given a name. If you die young, your name will never be used again, yet if you die an elder your name is consider an honored for a child to inherit your name. The boys had task they had to complete to become a “man” from spending years in a cave to kill a lion, to the graduation ceremony. Once then you can get married to the girl your parents pick out to you. The girl can be children when your parents match you up, yet when she first bleeds (her period) is allow being married. The male can have as many wives as he wants, where they all live in houses around his. Wilson’s father had four wives, giving Wilson 42 siblings. Domestic abused was high in the Maasai culture as women were to serve their husbands, no allow to refuse or in fear of punishment.
Wilson was born without a name, yet after years of seeing Wilson grow into being a brave young man they decided to name him Miton Ole Meikuaya. One thing Wilson wanted, that his parents didn’t, was go to school. His mother told him that police come and take young Maasai children from their families and send them to a place that will destroy their culture. “If you see a car or truck coming, you are to run until you have no breath left in you.” Was what his mother always told him. Yet he wanted to go, so one day he was “accidently” caught and was given the opportunity to go to school. Wilson loved school as he found languages easy to learn and the rest interesting to say the least. He was the class clown, and decided on the Christen name Wilson as the other students couldn’t pronounce his name. Throughout the story you get to see how Wilson goes from a boy into a warrior.
Jackson was like Wilson in the culture he grew up with. He always listen to his mother, and showed respect to his father, yet like a Maasai warrior never showed pain, fear or pride. Yet like his friend Wilson, Jackson wanted to go to school. So against his parent’s wishes he went to learn about the world, math, and other languages. Where languages didn’t come easy, Jackson was great at math, learning it was easier to count your cows then identify them by faces. Jackson stayed at his Uncle Jonathon’s house, yet went home during holidays to take care of his parent’s cows. Jackson was great in sports, spending his time showing people his favorite sport of football (soccer) that he played using a bunch of plastic bundle up into a ball. Jackson was loved by all, and decided to use his schooling to help out his community and save the Maasai culture.
Wilson Meikuaya and Jackson Ntirkana with the help of Susan McClelland got to tell sue their story about the world they grew up in. The story talked about the Maasai culture and how it haven’t evolved into modern day times, yet Wilson, Jackson and their peers where there to bring their people into the new age. How they still will keep their old culture ways of drinking cow blood, yet stop others like killing lions (which is illegal now in Kenya and they can only do it if a lion is threating their house or cows), and arrange marriages. For the story itself it was very dry in the beginning, it wasn’t until after the pictures (located in the middle of the book) where the story started getting interesting. It was confusing for the time line as well with alternating chapters differs between Wilsons and Jackson’s point-of-view, the time line kept jumping. The first few chapters were them at school, and then it went back to how they got to school, then forward at weekends when they weren’t at school. The reason it happen like this was Jackson would tell a story about an event, but then in the next chapter Wilson will tell a story than happen either at the same time as Jackson’s or a little before/after. Jackson and Wilson are two amazing people who have done so much in their short life as they are currently working with Free the Children, giving tours to volunteers in Kenya on what the Maasai culture is truly about.
The Maasai culture is quite different that the ones in the Western hemisphere are used to. They are from Kenya, with seventeen different language groups. Their god is a female named Enkai; at whom they prayed for to take care of their cows and guidance. The boys are grown up not allow to show fear or pain, as they are the Maasai Warriors. Even a flinch of pain when getting their baby teeth pulled would bring shame on the family. They go the first several years of life without a name. When the parents think the child is old enough they are given a name. If you die young, your name will never be used again, yet if you die an elder your name is consider an honored for a child to inherit your name. The boys had task they had to complete to become a “man” from spending years in a cave to kill a lion, to the graduation ceremony. Once then you can get married to the girl your parents pick out to you. The girl can be children when your parents match you up, yet when she first bleeds (her period) is allow being married. The male can have as many wives as he wants, where they all live in houses around his. Wilson’s father had four wives, giving Wilson 42 siblings. Domestic abused was high in the Maasai culture as women were to serve their husbands, no allow to refuse or in fear of punishment.
Wilson was born without a name, yet after years of seeing Wilson grow into being a brave young man they decided to name him Miton Ole Meikuaya. One thing Wilson wanted, that his parents didn’t, was go to school. His mother told him that police come and take young Maasai children from their families and send them to a place that will destroy their culture. “If you see a car or truck coming, you are to run until you have no breath left in you.” Was what his mother always told him. Yet he wanted to go, so one day he was “accidently” caught and was given the opportunity to go to school. Wilson loved school as he found languages easy to learn and the rest interesting to say the least. He was the class clown, and decided on the Christen name Wilson as the other students couldn’t pronounce his name. Throughout the story you get to see how Wilson goes from a boy into a warrior.
Jackson was like Wilson in the culture he grew up with. He always listen to his mother, and showed respect to his father, yet like a Maasai warrior never showed pain, fear or pride. Yet like his friend Wilson, Jackson wanted to go to school. So against his parent’s wishes he went to learn about the world, math, and other languages. Where languages didn’t come easy, Jackson was great at math, learning it was easier to count your cows then identify them by faces. Jackson stayed at his Uncle Jonathon’s house, yet went home during holidays to take care of his parent’s cows. Jackson was great in sports, spending his time showing people his favorite sport of football (soccer) that he played using a bunch of plastic bundle up into a ball. Jackson was loved by all, and decided to use his schooling to help out his community and save the Maasai culture.
Wilson Meikuaya and Jackson Ntirkana with the help of Susan McClelland got to tell sue their story about the world they grew up in. The story talked about the Maasai culture and how it haven’t evolved into modern day times, yet Wilson, Jackson and their peers where there to bring their people into the new age. How they still will keep their old culture ways of drinking cow blood, yet stop others like killing lions (which is illegal now in Kenya and they can only do it if a lion is threating their house or cows), and arrange marriages. For the story itself it was very dry in the beginning, it wasn’t until after the pictures (located in the middle of the book) where the story started getting interesting. It was confusing for the time line as well with alternating chapters differs between Wilsons and Jackson’s point-of-view, the time line kept jumping. The first few chapters were them at school, and then it went back to how they got to school, then forward at weekends when they weren’t at school. The reason it happen like this was Jackson would tell a story about an event, but then in the next chapter Wilson will tell a story than happen either at the same time as Jackson’s or a little before/after. Jackson and Wilson are two amazing people who have done so much in their short life as they are currently working with Free the Children, giving tours to volunteers in Kenya on what the Maasai culture is truly about.
September 22, 2012
This book tells the story of these two Maasai warriors who are living proof that change in possible - from teaching their elders about the health-risks of some of their practices to teaching their peers about environmental degradation... these two men are real life super heroes. The journey Wilson and Jackson have been on and continue to be on is amazing to see.
I had the privilege of meeting Wilson and Jackson in the Kenya and their stories are spectacular. They are two of the most patient, strongest, bravest people I have had the privilege of meeting. They are soft-spoken yet you hold on to every word they say. Their aura is of calm & peace and the stories of where they came from and the Maasai people makes you think about what is important when coming back to North America... they are so proud of their communities and their families - the lessons to take away from this book are life-changing.
I had the privilege of meeting Wilson and Jackson in the Kenya and their stories are spectacular. They are two of the most patient, strongest, bravest people I have had the privilege of meeting. They are soft-spoken yet you hold on to every word they say. Their aura is of calm & peace and the stories of where they came from and the Maasai people makes you think about what is important when coming back to North America... they are so proud of their communities and their families - the lessons to take away from this book are life-changing.
June 16, 2019
A wonderful account of the world of the Maasai
The stories of these brave young men are an example of the courage necessary to save and unite our world by bringing together the lessons and traditions of the past with the challenges of the future. Too often we romanticize one over the other - memories of the old days or the shininess of the present- but this story conveys that it is not that simple. One informs the other and only together will a positive future unfold.
The stories of these brave young men are an example of the courage necessary to save and unite our world by bringing together the lessons and traditions of the past with the challenges of the future. Too often we romanticize one over the other - memories of the old days or the shininess of the present- but this story conveys that it is not that simple. One informs the other and only together will a positive future unfold.
December 20, 2012
Interesting coming of age study in a time of upheaval and transition. Wonderful to have an inside view of the Maasai culture through these boys eyes. Loved the retellings of their traditional stories. After reading this I feel confident they will be positively impacting their contemporaries.
June 1, 2016
Interesting look into growing up as a Maasai, secluded from the rest of the world. Very optimistic views from these two young men, I hope they remain true to themselves and preserve their culture.
Loved the story of why the dik-diks poop in neat little piles lol
Loved the story of why the dik-diks poop in neat little piles lol
February 25, 2013
Really interesting thoughts on Maasai culture and the inevitable push of Westernization.
April 1, 2013
Powerful, simple. The stories are carefully chosen, the moments given just the right weight. Recommended.
April 3, 2013
Read this while I was volunteering on a medical mission working with the Maasai. It was a valuable resource while in Kenya to learn about the tribe I was working with.
September 25, 2014
Great inspiring people; not that cohesive of a story. Chronology slotted above narrative.
June 30, 2015
Inspiring stories and learned a lot about Maasai culture. Great read
November 13, 2023
This is a profound book about traditions, changes, and vocations. It's an easy read about 2 men who came back to make a difference.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews