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Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna
Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton is a Maasai tribesman of Kenya. In this fascinating autobiography, he shares stories about growing up in his nomadic tribe - from licking sweat off cows’ noses to survive a drought, to facing down a lion at age 14, to playing soccer for the president of Kenya. The only member of his family to receive a formal education, Joseph sometimes lived as much as 40 miles away from school. While at school, he learned about Western culture and traditions. A member of two very different communities, Joseph struggled with what he was taught and what he already knew. But eventually, he learned to balance two worlds.
Hailed by Children’s Literature as a "superb book for any age", Facing the Lion is a riveting tale of one man who took his destiny in his own hands and became an extraordinary citizen of the world.
Hailed by Children’s Literature as a "superb book for any age", Facing the Lion is a riveting tale of one man who took his destiny in his own hands and became an extraordinary citizen of the world.
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First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton
2 books13 followersJoseph Lekuton was born in a cow-dung hut to a tribe of Maasai nomads in rural Kenya. In 2003 he graduated with a master's degree in educational policy from Harvard University. His exceptional journey between those two moments and beyond has allowed him to embrace—and bridge—both cultures.
When he was about six years old, Lekuton entered boarding school. During school vacations, he searched to locate his nomadic family. "They might be 8 kilometers [5 miles] away or 80 [50], I never knew." But thanks to those vacations, Lekuton's tribal life and school life were able to move on parallel paths. "I could be a dedicated student, but also herd cattle and go through traditional initiation ceremonies in my village, eventually becoming a full Maasai warrior."
After attending a preparatory school, Lekuton earned a scholarship to St. Lawrence University in New York, with his plane ticket paid for by a village-wide effort to sell the tribe's cows.
Following graduation, Lekuton spent more than ten years as a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher in Virginia. During that time he earned his degree from Harvard, led groups of American students and families on trips to Kenya, organized humanitarian efforts there, and had his life story published by the National Geographic Society in the book Facing the Lion: Growing up Maasai on the African Savanna.
"To bridge cultures you must mix people together," he says. "Education and travel are the best teachers. That's why I began leading student trips to Kenya. I wanted to help open the eyes of American children and families, showing them firsthand how so many people in the rest of the world live. My American students are always surprised to see a culture where kids aren't surrounded by cell phones and TVs. They'll say, 'How do they entertain themselves?' I tell them that they entertain themselves by living life very simply. We'll visit my old primary school, where most students don't even have shoes. I'll point to one of them and say, 'That was me.' I want my groups to see that people who don't have much can still be very, very happy."
Despite cultural differences, Lekuton sees many links. "America was formed on the basis of hard work leading to success. So is Kenyan culture. If you're lazy and don't take your cows to the best grasslands and water, you'll lose all of them. Technology is making the world smaller too. If I can sit in the U.S. and instantly trade text messages with a friend from a small village in Kenya, how far apart can we really be?"
Lekuton has built other cross-cultural bridges to bring support to rural Kenya. In many areas, drinking water comes from the same contaminated ponds used by elephants and baboons. Lekuton mobilized friends in the U.S. to fund clean water systems for thousands of villagers, dramatically reducing deaths from waterborne diseases.
He has also spearheaded efforts to build schools, collect educational supplies, and inspire the creation of a Nomadic Children Scholarship Fund. "The more children we can educate, the fewer problems we'll have in Africa," he says. "Meeting enormous needs like this is my biggest challenge. I want to do so much, but there are never enough resources. So many students want to go to school but can't afford it. And in many places I see death staring at people because there's no food. Again, the resources simply aren't there."
On the other hand, he notes, "There are moments when I see a child's face light up as he thanks us for the education we've helped to provide. Or the elderly lady I remember who had a big smile because she's no longer carrying a heavy bucket of water on her back 15 kilometers [9 miles] every day. She told me I added 15 years to her lifespan by bringing clean water to her village."
Lekuton hopes the future will hold more opportunities for him to play a leadership role in Kenya. Equally comfortable in a Maasai red robe or a business suit, his passion for opening minds may open
When he was about six years old, Lekuton entered boarding school. During school vacations, he searched to locate his nomadic family. "They might be 8 kilometers [5 miles] away or 80 [50], I never knew." But thanks to those vacations, Lekuton's tribal life and school life were able to move on parallel paths. "I could be a dedicated student, but also herd cattle and go through traditional initiation ceremonies in my village, eventually becoming a full Maasai warrior."
After attending a preparatory school, Lekuton earned a scholarship to St. Lawrence University in New York, with his plane ticket paid for by a village-wide effort to sell the tribe's cows.
Following graduation, Lekuton spent more than ten years as a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher in Virginia. During that time he earned his degree from Harvard, led groups of American students and families on trips to Kenya, organized humanitarian efforts there, and had his life story published by the National Geographic Society in the book Facing the Lion: Growing up Maasai on the African Savanna.
"To bridge cultures you must mix people together," he says. "Education and travel are the best teachers. That's why I began leading student trips to Kenya. I wanted to help open the eyes of American children and families, showing them firsthand how so many people in the rest of the world live. My American students are always surprised to see a culture where kids aren't surrounded by cell phones and TVs. They'll say, 'How do they entertain themselves?' I tell them that they entertain themselves by living life very simply. We'll visit my old primary school, where most students don't even have shoes. I'll point to one of them and say, 'That was me.' I want my groups to see that people who don't have much can still be very, very happy."
Despite cultural differences, Lekuton sees many links. "America was formed on the basis of hard work leading to success. So is Kenyan culture. If you're lazy and don't take your cows to the best grasslands and water, you'll lose all of them. Technology is making the world smaller too. If I can sit in the U.S. and instantly trade text messages with a friend from a small village in Kenya, how far apart can we really be?"
Lekuton has built other cross-cultural bridges to bring support to rural Kenya. In many areas, drinking water comes from the same contaminated ponds used by elephants and baboons. Lekuton mobilized friends in the U.S. to fund clean water systems for thousands of villagers, dramatically reducing deaths from waterborne diseases.
He has also spearheaded efforts to build schools, collect educational supplies, and inspire the creation of a Nomadic Children Scholarship Fund. "The more children we can educate, the fewer problems we'll have in Africa," he says. "Meeting enormous needs like this is my biggest challenge. I want to do so much, but there are never enough resources. So many students want to go to school but can't afford it. And in many places I see death staring at people because there's no food. Again, the resources simply aren't there."
On the other hand, he notes, "There are moments when I see a child's face light up as he thanks us for the education we've helped to provide. Or the elderly lady I remember who had a big smile because she's no longer carrying a heavy bucket of water on her back 15 kilometers [9 miles] every day. She told me I added 15 years to her lifespan by bringing clean water to her village."
Lekuton hopes the future will hold more opportunities for him to play a leadership role in Kenya. Equally comfortable in a Maasai red robe or a business suit, his passion for opening minds may open
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
February 29, 2012
I bought this book for my classroom but also because it fits my Around the World bookclub here on Goodreads. It's a memoir from a boy who grew up in the Maasai tribe in Kenya. Though short I loved the book because it gives readers - especially kids - an idea of what it's like to live a very different life.
The Maasai tribe, specifically the Ariaal which Joseph is part of, is nomadic and their livelihood comes from cattle. They are the most integral part of their daily lives. Most of their diet consists of milk and blood from the animals. I found the details about his life as a child and his life with his tribe fascinating. Though he struggles when he is in school, he has grown to embrace two vastly different cultures and can seemlessly transition between the two.
I would love to meet Joseph, because he seems like a remarkable man whom one can learn a lot from. He also finds joy in everything, and having a positive friend like that would benefit everyone. Students who have him as a teacher in America are lucky, especially those that make the trip to Kenya with him over the summer to learn about his tribe. I honestly wish I was offered the opportunity in life.
The Maasai tribe, specifically the Ariaal which Joseph is part of, is nomadic and their livelihood comes from cattle. They are the most integral part of their daily lives. Most of their diet consists of milk and blood from the animals. I found the details about his life as a child and his life with his tribe fascinating. Though he struggles when he is in school, he has grown to embrace two vastly different cultures and can seemlessly transition between the two.
I would love to meet Joseph, because he seems like a remarkable man whom one can learn a lot from. He also finds joy in everything, and having a positive friend like that would benefit everyone. Students who have him as a teacher in America are lucky, especially those that make the trip to Kenya with him over the summer to learn about his tribe. I honestly wish I was offered the opportunity in life.
July 29, 2015
A pretty interesting book detailing a boy's life growing up as a Maasai in Kenya. More suited to children than adults, though I didn't discover this until after I'd finished the book. It felt a little stunted and suddenly ended - I wanted to know more - but then the author explains that they deliberately cut off at the end of the childhood years because he wanted to write the book for children, to show them what life is like growing up in a different part of the world. The author faces some hardship along the way, which he overcomes, though it's nothing too dramatic or tense. A nice, mildly interesting read.
6 out of 10
October 21, 2015
This is an autobiography about a boy born in a nomadic Maasai tribe who is placed in a missionary school by the government. He is encouraged to go only by his mother, when his tribe believes he should drop out and help herd cattle. He faces many difficulties as he fights his way to get to a highly competitive secondary school. After he graduates, he realizes that he doesn't have the money to go to college in the U.S., and gets a job as a bank teller in Mombasa. One day, he meets a customer who turns out to be a college professor in the United States. Against all odds, he is accepted into St. Lawrence University and ends up on a plane bound for New York. The book ends when, after graduating and getting a job at the Langley School, he returns to his village with a gift of eight cows to give to his mother.
It was readable and enjoyable, the writing simple and plainly put. It is not told in a self-pitying way, but in a kind of acceptance. He faces so much hardship, but he does not think of it as such, rather, even though at times it took him two weeks of walking and hitchhiking just to get home from school, he does not seem to mind, entirely. He is so determined to get an education he pushes himself far, with a belief that he will achieve his dreams no matter what.
Highly recommended for those interested in geography and younger readers.
It was readable and enjoyable, the writing simple and plainly put. It is not told in a self-pitying way, but in a kind of acceptance. He faces so much hardship, but he does not think of it as such, rather, even though at times it took him two weeks of walking and hitchhiking just to get home from school, he does not seem to mind, entirely. He is so determined to get an education he pushes himself far, with a belief that he will achieve his dreams no matter what.
Highly recommended for those interested in geography and younger readers.
March 20, 2021
Just a boy living his life in Kenya. That’s literally it. Not the best thing I’ve read, but still far from being the worst.
PT: Reading Around the World: Kenya, Africa, Positive Messages!, books for readers of all ages
What I Liked
1) readable for all ages (as advertised). Love me a book that fulfills the summary promises!
2) resilient protag/good message for younger readers. Isn’t it bizarre how younger kids read all this literature that’s about how awesome it is to try and do your best and smile a lot and then by middle school every bit of media around them immediately switches to a darker tone? It’s suddenly *not* cool to smile or try. You have to have a resting *discontented* face and either be so great at everything you try that you can say “yea I really didn’t try” OR just not try at all. That’s terrible. Bad culture. This book traverses that. The protagonist is a Genuinely Good Kid TM who is just doing his best. Great message and a nice balance to the awful middle school culture.
3) kid is still a kid. This is kind of piggy backing on the last point. Yes the protag is a good kid, but he also messes up and gets into trouble. He wants to hang out with his friends and neglect his chores. He faces the consequences of his decisions, but he is ultimately still a happy kid in a generally supportive environment.
4) The value of education. A fantastic read for elementary kids who have an interest in other cultures but also hate school. It’s wonderful to see a kid that’s excited to go to school in media. Might help some kids enjoy the journey a little bit more!
5) last bit on the culture of this book: wholesome!! There’s no great devious plot threatening to overthrow the world. There’s no looming threat of murder or a Classic Villain waiting for the protagonist’s guard to fall. It’s just a nice story about one kid’s life in Africa.
What I Didn’t Like
1) not especially impactful. While the overall Vibe is delightfully wholesome, that’s pretty much all there is to this book. The story doesn’t really do anything. It could still be wholesome without compromising the integrity of narrative overall. There was just no big *point.* It’s all anecdotal and filler text.
Neutral ground
1) didn’t stick with me. Immediately after I put this book down, I forgot 65% of the contents. It’s all a very hazy story in my mind. This is probably due to the fact that it was about a normal boy in a normal (albeit very different) world from my own, and I’m accustomed to the fantastical (traumatic) drama of modern lit and media. This is hardly a fault though. I hope more media eventually becomes like this.
2) short. Not enough time to establish characters/story.
3) only modestly setting oriented. Not super great for RATW, but hey, I’ll take what I can get.
PT: Reading Around the World: Kenya, Africa, Positive Messages!, books for readers of all ages
What I Liked
1) readable for all ages (as advertised). Love me a book that fulfills the summary promises!
2) resilient protag/good message for younger readers. Isn’t it bizarre how younger kids read all this literature that’s about how awesome it is to try and do your best and smile a lot and then by middle school every bit of media around them immediately switches to a darker tone? It’s suddenly *not* cool to smile or try. You have to have a resting *discontented* face and either be so great at everything you try that you can say “yea I really didn’t try” OR just not try at all. That’s terrible. Bad culture. This book traverses that. The protagonist is a Genuinely Good Kid TM who is just doing his best. Great message and a nice balance to the awful middle school culture.
3) kid is still a kid. This is kind of piggy backing on the last point. Yes the protag is a good kid, but he also messes up and gets into trouble. He wants to hang out with his friends and neglect his chores. He faces the consequences of his decisions, but he is ultimately still a happy kid in a generally supportive environment.
4) The value of education. A fantastic read for elementary kids who have an interest in other cultures but also hate school. It’s wonderful to see a kid that’s excited to go to school in media. Might help some kids enjoy the journey a little bit more!
5) last bit on the culture of this book: wholesome!! There’s no great devious plot threatening to overthrow the world. There’s no looming threat of murder or a Classic Villain waiting for the protagonist’s guard to fall. It’s just a nice story about one kid’s life in Africa.
What I Didn’t Like
1) not especially impactful. While the overall Vibe is delightfully wholesome, that’s pretty much all there is to this book. The story doesn’t really do anything. It could still be wholesome without compromising the integrity of narrative overall. There was just no big *point.* It’s all anecdotal and filler text.
Neutral ground
1) didn’t stick with me. Immediately after I put this book down, I forgot 65% of the contents. It’s all a very hazy story in my mind. This is probably due to the fact that it was about a normal boy in a normal (albeit very different) world from my own, and I’m accustomed to the fantastical (traumatic) drama of modern lit and media. This is hardly a fault though. I hope more media eventually becomes like this.
2) short. Not enough time to establish characters/story.
3) only modestly setting oriented. Not super great for RATW, but hey, I’ll take what I can get.
Read
February 3, 2020 But even at that age , I didn't want to be set too far apart from my culture. I wanted to learn, but I wanted to remain part of the tradition i'd grown up in...
This was not long enough for me to have strong feelings about but I really enjoyed the few glimpses of Maa culture such as their food, their clothing and the initiation rituals that were weaved through out the narration and how cattle holds such a high place in that culture. We get to see how the author wanted to remain connected to his culture despite his desire to still be westernized and see more beyond where he was born and raised.
This was not long enough for me to have strong feelings about but I really enjoyed the few glimpses of Maa culture such as their food, their clothing and the initiation rituals that were weaved through out the narration and how cattle holds such a high place in that culture. We get to see how the author wanted to remain connected to his culture despite his desire to still be westernized and see more beyond where he was born and raised.
November 14, 2018
This is a wonderful book for children and adults about the life of Joseph growing up in two cultures: the Maasai and the American missionary schools. The freedom and responsibilities that the Maasai give to their children is quite amazing, considering American children aren't allowed to wander beyond the block of their home. Joseph is now grown, a member of the Parliament, and is accomplishing excellent things for his country.
March 2, 2024
Perfect primer for my time with a Maasai guide in Kenya. I've known enough about the culture to be intrigued, but this opened the door to better understanding what the culture feels like and looks like from the inside. This includes the absolutely harrowing male initiation and circumcision rituals. Talking with our guide Moses from the Mattikoko camp (which in would 1000% recommend btw) the book is very accurate to how he was raised, though things have changed and rules have softened since then. Details on Moses and Mattikoko: https://mattikoko.com/meet-the-team
Read
October 5, 2017This is a great book because it shows children how it is like when you grow up in a different country and how much harder it is. My favorite character was a little kid named Lemasolai because I thought that he was brave to try and protect the cattle from the ferocious lions. This book was a true story and it was awesome to see how this happened in real life thats what I thought. I always had to think in my story because new things kept happening for example when he said he had to run from the pincher man I was wondering is `int that bad because if you run from him wont he pinch you even harder so that got me thinking a little bit.My favorite part of the book was when they were trying to kill the two lions that killed lemasolai`s mom favorite cow because it was intense because I thought that the lions were gonna loose it and kill the masia. the book was written very well because the books words sounded very intense during a very intense moment and very sad during a sad moment. the only emotions that I felt was scared when they were trying to catch the lions because I thought that they were gonna die. I could not stop reading the book it was just so interesting.
I really wish the book had more to read because i wanted to know more about how they killed the lions. I felt really connected when lemasolai had killed the lions with the other guards it was just really interesting he was a real hero in the story. The story was just right for me because this is the right book that i am looking for.
I would suggest this book to an adult and a child because it is not really for adults i think because the theme of the book was to never give up on what you are doing
I really wish the book had more to read because i wanted to know more about how they killed the lions. I felt really connected when lemasolai had killed the lions with the other guards it was just really interesting he was a real hero in the story. The story was just right for me because this is the right book that i am looking for.
I would suggest this book to an adult and a child because it is not really for adults i think because the theme of the book was to never give up on what you are doing
June 12, 2021
This was a quick read that gives a good glimpse of what life is like for a nomadic boy in Kenya. I do love how he balances his two worlds, and is trying to help his people without taking away their culture. This could have been longer, but as it was intended for kids, it's a good length for that.
June 10, 2018
Excellent tale of bravery and acceptance, written with humility and thankfulness. Perfect read aloud; m
ay want to skip chapter 7 for a younger audience.
ay want to skip chapter 7 for a younger audience.
June 9, 2023
Very interesting. Gives perspective
May 4, 2020
If I were still teaching 6th grade (retired teacher here), I would definitely have this book in my class library. A wonderful introduction to the traditional culture of Kenya. They’d be fascinated!
April 8, 2013
Kelli Gillis
Ms.Hayes
English 5
8 April 2013
Facing the Lion
Facing the Lion by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton is an autobiography about his life growing up in Africa and making his way to the United States. He grew up raising cattle, but was sent to school in his young teens because the government issued that at least one child from every nomadic family must be sent to school. His school was far away and had to walk there with a group of kids; he started soccer and met President Moi who helped him with school payments. Then, he moved to America for college he attended St. Lawrence. Now, Joseph goes back to his hometown in Africa every summer and brings a group of students with him to educate them and encourage them to help by bringing school resources. Also, Joseph makes the most out of bad situations and I admire him for that.
My favorite character in Facing the Lion is Joseph Lemasolai without a doubt. One reason I would characterize Joseph as my favorite character is because he is down to earth and has done so much to help villages in Africa. Volunteering and helping others is something that I admire. He worked for his family and didn’t grow up with any luxury. Joseph also always works his hardest. All he does is give to people; he’s selfless and appreciates the little he has, which many people now a day’s do not do. I find him inspirational; one of my favorite quotes of his is “Everything you do in life is preparing you for the next challenge” (79). The reason I like this quote so much is because it inspires me to do everything in life the best way I can and to take obstacles thrown at me and deal with them in the best way I can. But most of all, those words express Joseph’s perspective, he’s optimistic. After he went to college he was teaching in America for two years. When he brought the first group of kids to tour the village he grew up in they paid him with some money as a thank you. He knew he wanted to thank his mom by getting her something. Cows were sacred in Africa, so with the money he had he bought his mom eight expensive cows for her as a surprise. He said to her, “This is a gift for you. What you’ve done for me has been incredible. You’ve supported me my whole life, through all the tough decisions to allow me to stay in school. When people wanted me to drop out, you made me stay. So this is your gift, come and see your cows” (109). Another reason Joseph is my favorite character in this book because he’s a role model. He gave all the money he had saved and received to getting his mom cows. I don’t think Joseph intended for readers to favor him. Personally, I can’t find a reason why someone wouldn’t favor him; he’s just naturally a likeable person.
Overall, I thought Facing the Lion was a wonderful book and I enjoyed the time I spent reading it. I would recommend this book to all readers. I would especially recommend this to a person who doesn’t enjoy reading. I believe this book could really change their mind; it’s different from other books. This book provides a life lesson; it’s taught me to be thankful for what I have and to make the most out of every situation. I think reading this book could help people with cope with tough situations. I loved this book and I think other people should read it to learn from it.
Ms.Hayes
English 5
8 April 2013
Facing the Lion
Facing the Lion by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton is an autobiography about his life growing up in Africa and making his way to the United States. He grew up raising cattle, but was sent to school in his young teens because the government issued that at least one child from every nomadic family must be sent to school. His school was far away and had to walk there with a group of kids; he started soccer and met President Moi who helped him with school payments. Then, he moved to America for college he attended St. Lawrence. Now, Joseph goes back to his hometown in Africa every summer and brings a group of students with him to educate them and encourage them to help by bringing school resources. Also, Joseph makes the most out of bad situations and I admire him for that.
My favorite character in Facing the Lion is Joseph Lemasolai without a doubt. One reason I would characterize Joseph as my favorite character is because he is down to earth and has done so much to help villages in Africa. Volunteering and helping others is something that I admire. He worked for his family and didn’t grow up with any luxury. Joseph also always works his hardest. All he does is give to people; he’s selfless and appreciates the little he has, which many people now a day’s do not do. I find him inspirational; one of my favorite quotes of his is “Everything you do in life is preparing you for the next challenge” (79). The reason I like this quote so much is because it inspires me to do everything in life the best way I can and to take obstacles thrown at me and deal with them in the best way I can. But most of all, those words express Joseph’s perspective, he’s optimistic. After he went to college he was teaching in America for two years. When he brought the first group of kids to tour the village he grew up in they paid him with some money as a thank you. He knew he wanted to thank his mom by getting her something. Cows were sacred in Africa, so with the money he had he bought his mom eight expensive cows for her as a surprise. He said to her, “This is a gift for you. What you’ve done for me has been incredible. You’ve supported me my whole life, through all the tough decisions to allow me to stay in school. When people wanted me to drop out, you made me stay. So this is your gift, come and see your cows” (109). Another reason Joseph is my favorite character in this book because he’s a role model. He gave all the money he had saved and received to getting his mom cows. I don’t think Joseph intended for readers to favor him. Personally, I can’t find a reason why someone wouldn’t favor him; he’s just naturally a likeable person.
Overall, I thought Facing the Lion was a wonderful book and I enjoyed the time I spent reading it. I would recommend this book to all readers. I would especially recommend this to a person who doesn’t enjoy reading. I believe this book could really change their mind; it’s different from other books. This book provides a life lesson; it’s taught me to be thankful for what I have and to make the most out of every situation. I think reading this book could help people with cope with tough situations. I loved this book and I think other people should read it to learn from it.
February 16, 2016
4.25 stars.
How shall you act when face-to-face with a lion on
the hunt?
--when he looks straight at you,
--his mane stained with blood,
--his gaping mouth revealing his great teeth
and gullet beyond?
So, Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton’s Facing the Lion begins . . .
Somewhere between autobiography and memoir sits this wonderful narrative.
As with autobiography, the author recounts a sequential timeline from a young age to a current age, (at the time of publication). Yet, like memoir, consequential events revolving around particular experiences and “themes” lead to a focus. The lion, for example, acts as a metaphor on two to three levels beyond the literal. Hence, Facing the Lion "fits" more aptly within the memoir genre.
Lekuton pens a wonderful, if difficult, journey. Humor, danger, honor, prejudice, care, corruption, and ardor all come into play as he attends a Western Missionary school and consciously accepts Western traditions while maintaining his own Massai traditions. (The Massai are a nomadic, tribal culture spanning from northern Kenya southward into neighboring Tanzania).
Despite a 720 Lexile Level, both adult and young adult readers can enjoy such a journey where a seemingly different culture yields similarity after similarity to the greater human experience. Fear, cowardice, reputation, bullying, pride, growth, and fidelity all appear in various ways and episodes.
Yet, the traditions, cultural practices, and uniqueness of the Massai become the more intriguing aspects to this memoir. Indeed, some of these practices serve as a reminder to our own Western practices, now “lost:” a separate warrior class, and a “rite of passage” ceremony into manhood, etc. And so, on two levels, Facing the Lion becomes a great read.
The episode where Lekuton participates in a football or soccer match which yields “political” consequences, however, seemingly and tacitly subordinates the author’s positive message.
And, Lekuton’s journey to the United States, while entertaining, seems a bit “clipped.”
This brief memoir, though, still inspires. And like
the best “Young Adult” fiction, Facing the Lion has deeper, provocative implications throughout. Indeed, even when completing the last chapter, the question from the first seems an incessant echo:
The lion is looking at you.
You have only “a moment.”
And so . . .
How shall you act?
How shall you act when face-to-face with a lion on
the hunt?
--when he looks straight at you,
--his mane stained with blood,
--his gaping mouth revealing his great teeth
and gullet beyond?
So, Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton’s Facing the Lion begins . . .
Somewhere between autobiography and memoir sits this wonderful narrative.
As with autobiography, the author recounts a sequential timeline from a young age to a current age, (at the time of publication). Yet, like memoir, consequential events revolving around particular experiences and “themes” lead to a focus. The lion, for example, acts as a metaphor on two to three levels beyond the literal. Hence, Facing the Lion "fits" more aptly within the memoir genre.
Lekuton pens a wonderful, if difficult, journey. Humor, danger, honor, prejudice, care, corruption, and ardor all come into play as he attends a Western Missionary school and consciously accepts Western traditions while maintaining his own Massai traditions. (The Massai are a nomadic, tribal culture spanning from northern Kenya southward into neighboring Tanzania).
Despite a 720 Lexile Level, both adult and young adult readers can enjoy such a journey where a seemingly different culture yields similarity after similarity to the greater human experience. Fear, cowardice, reputation, bullying, pride, growth, and fidelity all appear in various ways and episodes.
Yet, the traditions, cultural practices, and uniqueness of the Massai become the more intriguing aspects to this memoir. Indeed, some of these practices serve as a reminder to our own Western practices, now “lost:” a separate warrior class, and a “rite of passage” ceremony into manhood, etc. And so, on two levels, Facing the Lion becomes a great read.
The episode where Lekuton participates in a football or soccer match which yields “political” consequences, however, seemingly and tacitly subordinates the author’s positive message.
And, Lekuton’s journey to the United States, while entertaining, seems a bit “clipped.”
This brief memoir, though, still inspires. And like
the best “Young Adult” fiction, Facing the Lion has deeper, provocative implications throughout. Indeed, even when completing the last chapter, the question from the first seems an incessant echo:
The lion is looking at you.
You have only “a moment.”
And so . . .
How shall you act?
September 25, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
I read this while staying at the maasai Simba Camp in the region of Kajiado near Amboseli and it was the perfect accompaniment to my stay there. I didn’t realize this book was for young adults before starting it but in the end it was nice because it made for a light read of a nonfiction novel. The writing is not stellar but the simple language works for its purpose and audience.
The author writes about his upbringing in a nomadic Maasai community in Marsabit county near the border of Ethiopia, including his childhood taking the cattle out to graze, exploring the wilderness, interacting with different Maasai villages during their nomadic journeys, and facing elephants and lions. It was interesting to hear how the local informal community governance of the Maasai society interacted with the federal governance of Kenya, and how this impacted his life by guiding him out of the cattle herding life and toward schooling in Kenya and the US. He also speaks of how nomadic peoples are slowly dissolving due to such pressures and government policies that privilege urbanism and westernization and result in nomadic peoples being placed at the bottom of the social rung in Kenya. The male author also writes about gender roles in the society, though always observationally rather than critically. I enjoyed learning about the communitarian structure of the society, childhood in the wet highlands and semi arid lowlands, and family interactions. Overall I learned a good bit about Maasai peoples, whom I frequently interact with in Kenya but knew little about.
I read this while staying at the maasai Simba Camp in the region of Kajiado near Amboseli and it was the perfect accompaniment to my stay there. I didn’t realize this book was for young adults before starting it but in the end it was nice because it made for a light read of a nonfiction novel. The writing is not stellar but the simple language works for its purpose and audience.
The author writes about his upbringing in a nomadic Maasai community in Marsabit county near the border of Ethiopia, including his childhood taking the cattle out to graze, exploring the wilderness, interacting with different Maasai villages during their nomadic journeys, and facing elephants and lions. It was interesting to hear how the local informal community governance of the Maasai society interacted with the federal governance of Kenya, and how this impacted his life by guiding him out of the cattle herding life and toward schooling in Kenya and the US. He also speaks of how nomadic peoples are slowly dissolving due to such pressures and government policies that privilege urbanism and westernization and result in nomadic peoples being placed at the bottom of the social rung in Kenya. The male author also writes about gender roles in the society, though always observationally rather than critically. I enjoyed learning about the communitarian structure of the society, childhood in the wet highlands and semi arid lowlands, and family interactions. Overall I learned a good bit about Maasai peoples, whom I frequently interact with in Kenya but knew little about.
June 21, 2016
This is a lovely book aimed at about a sixth-grade reading level about a Maasai boy living in Kenya. He grows up watching the cattle and learning to become a warrior as do other boys his age. But circumstances contrive to send him to school, where he enjoys learning and becomes a good student, but misses his home. I found this book to be an excellent way for children to learn about the Maasai people, but I liked it more, perhaps, for discussing, in a way children may understand, how getting an education may distance a person from his or her culture such that a person is caught between two cultures without belonging to any. Incidentally, I am not being critical; I think this information is valuable, for it is learning that many people acquire, first hand, by surprise. That distancing is worth thinking about. Another plus for this book is that it conveys the value of learning, and the persistence necessary to keep at it. There are some stunning photos of the Maasai, and a map of the Maasai lands in Kenya in the centerfold. I recommend it for U.S. kids; in fact, it is written with U.S. children in mind (e.g. it talks in terms of miles, rather than kilometers), but I am recommending it for the library of the Tumaini Junior School, here in Karatu, as well, because it is so hard for them to find books in English that describe a world they know. This one does.
August 5, 2014
National Geographic published this memoir of a poor nomadic Maasai boy in Kenya who, against all odds, went to school, made friends with the president of Kenya, graduated from high school, and was educated in the United States at St. Lawrence University and then Harvard. He became a teacher at a prestigious private high school in Maclean, Virginia, during which period of his life he spent half his time in the US and half living the nomadic life with his tribe in Kenya. The book covers his life through his college graduation. Since writing the book, he has become part of the Kenyan government and focuses on the education of tribal peoples. A short, fabulous read for anyone seeking to better understand the life of Kenyan tribal children. See his Ted Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/joseph_lekut...
August 6, 2007
Very interesting autobiography about an African teacher who now teaches in Northern Va but goes back home every year and takes his friends/students with him. He is making a difference in the community and has very enlightening observations on Africans and Americans. This is a quick and educational read!
May 5, 2015
A brief, enjoyable book for kids and adults. You can read it in a day. What I enjoy most about this story about an African boy who becomes a man (through circumcision! ) and then travels to the US is the voice. It's calm, informative, and direct. There's wisdom and life lessons on every page. Check it out.
December 19, 2015
Really interesting book about life growing up in the Kenyan Savanna.
Can't recommend this enough if you want a nice, quick and short break from the norm.
A book about how if you push yourself enough then the sky really is the limit.
This would be especially good for children who need a little help realising their potential
4/5,
Can't recommend this enough if you want a nice, quick and short break from the norm.
A book about how if you push yourself enough then the sky really is the limit.
This would be especially good for children who need a little help realising their potential
4/5,
March 20, 2009
This (in my opion) was a REALLY good book......It tells a story of a boy who grows up as a part of the Masai tribe...his WHOLE life depends on cows..... when he turns 5(I think) he HAS to go to school.....And his journey begins there
October 13, 2007
Fascinating book. I love reading about other cultures.
November 3, 2022
I checked this out for the girls, but they weren't interested, so I listened to it. It was interesting and I loved the language of it.
June 23, 2016
As a bothersome middle school student relatively uninterested in multiculturalism, I never liked the fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs that explored the lives of people from parts of the world I had never been to and had no intention to visit. Thus, the brilliant imperialist critique of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the powerful resistance to apartheid found in Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country, and the real beauty of Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth were almost completely lost on me. This was probably because my uninspired English teacher didn’t know or care to highlight the social justice themes in those books, but whatever the case may have been, they failed to capture my attention. While Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton’s Facing the Lion is of an entirely different literary caliber than Things Fall Apart or The Good Earth, his memoir similarly exposes students to a worldview and culture distinct from that of Western Europe and the United States that, in time, could be lost forever due to the powerful forces of social exclusion and oppression. However, unlike those books cited above, Lekuton wrote his memoir specifically for children; he quite deliberately refused to write a more sophisticated book for adults. As such, Facing the Lion is instantly accessible and prompts young readers to ask important questions about the history of western imperialism and even moral relativism. It’s also short enough to read rather quickly so that students won’t find themselves bored with the inspiring details of Lekuton’s adolescent life. Still, it fails to deliver on any kind of literary level, and Lekuton’s story resembles one of many students will come to encounter on their intellectual odyssey into the realm of multiculturalist literature. So is it worth your time in the classroom? Perhaps, but only if teachers use Lekuton’s memoir as a catalyst to facilitate more substantive historical, literary, and philosophical conversations.
With Facing the Lion, Lekuton describes his life from birth until the time he entered college at Saint Lawrence University in the United States, which afford him the unique opportunity to teach at an elite private school in the Washington D.C. area. However, Lekuton’s real identity is rooted in Maasai cultural traditions that he learns and embraces as a boy and, later, a Maasai warrior. The Maasai, a nomadic warrior tribe prominent in southern Kenya, traditionally raise cattle, their primary source of sustenance; warriors thereby protect their families not only from other people, but also from lions that hunt cattle for food. Lekuton’s opening chapter describes his first encounter with a fierce lion that killed his family’s most prized cow; Lekuton, who overestimates his own bravery, flees from the lion almost immediately and abandons his brothers and friends to destroy it themselves. While no other lions make an appearance in Lekuton’s memoir, the lion thenceforth serves an important metaphorical role; Lekuton’s struggle to reconcile his distinct lives as a Maasai warrior and an accomplished student at boarding school constitutes the primary conflict of Facing the Lion.
Notably, Lekuton quietly introduces issues of cultural imperialism in his memoir from time to time, especially with respect to his education at a Western-style missionary school. There, he can’t wear the traditional dress of the Maasai people; students are uncritically forced to wear Western clothes. More problematically, students must learn English—not, for some, their native Swahili—the tenets of Christianity, and Christian moral values. Thus, Lekuton experiences firsthand the culturally destructive Western imperialism at play in African countries for hundreds of years. While Lekuton does not name this as such, he does vociferously assert that no matter the substantive benefits of his Western education, he consistently prioritizes his identity as Maasai over and above all else. While this is extremely difficult at times—for instance, Lekuton struggles with his mother’s unscientific acceptance of geocentrism and her incredulousness at the existence of airplanes—Lekuton refuses to see the Maasai people as primitive or backward. Their customs may be different than those practiced in Nairobi, Kenya and the United States, but not at all less valuable simply due to their ostensible exoticism from a Western-centric perspective. Without the Maasai, Lekuton maintains, he would not be the person he is today.
Nevertheless, many middle school American students may take issue with some of the cultural practices Lekuton describes. Teachers who decide to read Facing the Lion with their students should encourage students to voice these real concerns while still emphasizing a healthy dose of cultural sensitivity. Importantly, Lekuton’s memoir can actually engender classroom discussion about meta-ethical and normative moral relativism—namely, the notion that there exists no universal standard for morality and, thus, that we should tolerate the ethical norms of different cultures even if strongly disagree with them. This kind of in-depth philosophical discussion, which I readily contend is quite appropriate for middle school classrooms, is especially appropriate with respect to Lekuton’s vivid depiction of his circumcision, an important and necessary step in becoming a man in Maasai society, and his description of the patriarchal norms that dictate women’s second-class status as housekeepers and caregivers. Ideally, teachers can strike a critical balance between resisting students’ inevitable tendency to exoticize Lekuton and his people and encouraging critical thinking about substantive moral questions that deal with bodily mutilation and gender studies. I wouldn’t put it past middle schoolers to explore these kinds of questions authentically and meaningfully.
That being said, other books tackle these issues as well, and some do so with remarkable eloquence and nuance, both of which Facing the Lion unfortunately lack. In the end, I recommend more challenging memoirs like Elie Wiesel’s Night and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings—both of which introduce similar social justice-related themes—even for students in the seventh or eighth grade. Still, Lekuton’s triumphal coming-of-age story can inspire and motivate, and may prove more valuable for students more comfortable with simple, uncomplicated prose, struggling to improve their reading skills.
With Facing the Lion, Lekuton describes his life from birth until the time he entered college at Saint Lawrence University in the United States, which afford him the unique opportunity to teach at an elite private school in the Washington D.C. area. However, Lekuton’s real identity is rooted in Maasai cultural traditions that he learns and embraces as a boy and, later, a Maasai warrior. The Maasai, a nomadic warrior tribe prominent in southern Kenya, traditionally raise cattle, their primary source of sustenance; warriors thereby protect their families not only from other people, but also from lions that hunt cattle for food. Lekuton’s opening chapter describes his first encounter with a fierce lion that killed his family’s most prized cow; Lekuton, who overestimates his own bravery, flees from the lion almost immediately and abandons his brothers and friends to destroy it themselves. While no other lions make an appearance in Lekuton’s memoir, the lion thenceforth serves an important metaphorical role; Lekuton’s struggle to reconcile his distinct lives as a Maasai warrior and an accomplished student at boarding school constitutes the primary conflict of Facing the Lion.
Notably, Lekuton quietly introduces issues of cultural imperialism in his memoir from time to time, especially with respect to his education at a Western-style missionary school. There, he can’t wear the traditional dress of the Maasai people; students are uncritically forced to wear Western clothes. More problematically, students must learn English—not, for some, their native Swahili—the tenets of Christianity, and Christian moral values. Thus, Lekuton experiences firsthand the culturally destructive Western imperialism at play in African countries for hundreds of years. While Lekuton does not name this as such, he does vociferously assert that no matter the substantive benefits of his Western education, he consistently prioritizes his identity as Maasai over and above all else. While this is extremely difficult at times—for instance, Lekuton struggles with his mother’s unscientific acceptance of geocentrism and her incredulousness at the existence of airplanes—Lekuton refuses to see the Maasai people as primitive or backward. Their customs may be different than those practiced in Nairobi, Kenya and the United States, but not at all less valuable simply due to their ostensible exoticism from a Western-centric perspective. Without the Maasai, Lekuton maintains, he would not be the person he is today.
Nevertheless, many middle school American students may take issue with some of the cultural practices Lekuton describes. Teachers who decide to read Facing the Lion with their students should encourage students to voice these real concerns while still emphasizing a healthy dose of cultural sensitivity. Importantly, Lekuton’s memoir can actually engender classroom discussion about meta-ethical and normative moral relativism—namely, the notion that there exists no universal standard for morality and, thus, that we should tolerate the ethical norms of different cultures even if strongly disagree with them. This kind of in-depth philosophical discussion, which I readily contend is quite appropriate for middle school classrooms, is especially appropriate with respect to Lekuton’s vivid depiction of his circumcision, an important and necessary step in becoming a man in Maasai society, and his description of the patriarchal norms that dictate women’s second-class status as housekeepers and caregivers. Ideally, teachers can strike a critical balance between resisting students’ inevitable tendency to exoticize Lekuton and his people and encouraging critical thinking about substantive moral questions that deal with bodily mutilation and gender studies. I wouldn’t put it past middle schoolers to explore these kinds of questions authentically and meaningfully.
That being said, other books tackle these issues as well, and some do so with remarkable eloquence and nuance, both of which Facing the Lion unfortunately lack. In the end, I recommend more challenging memoirs like Elie Wiesel’s Night and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings—both of which introduce similar social justice-related themes—even for students in the seventh or eighth grade. Still, Lekuton’s triumphal coming-of-age story can inspire and motivate, and may prove more valuable for students more comfortable with simple, uncomplicated prose, struggling to improve their reading skills.
November 1, 2021
I really like this descriptive story about a boy growing up in Kenya. It helps people understand what it's like to grow up in Kenya and all their traditions. The story gives you a very descriptive explanation of what it feels like and even the emotions you can sometimes experience. The boy from the beginning was a little different from the rest of his people. Most people in Kenya, especially in his area, didn't attend school. The boy wanted to attend school so bad, he loved the idea of it and learning. Although some people were against the idea of him going to school, his mom supported him with everything he did and she kept him in school. This story takes you through a lot of the challenges this boy and his people faced and what they did on daily basis. It explains to you what their traditions are, you can kind of compare them to what most people do here and you'll realize how different they are. The boy became very academically skilled and he wanted to attend school in the U.S. which was basically across the world. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough money to pay for it himself. Along the way, he ended up meeting people that helped him with his journey and he ended up getting a scholarship to a school in New York. He moved to the U.S. and was amazed by the technology they have. Most people here don't think of the things we have as cool, but it was all new things for him. He frequently visited his family in Kenya and he continued to practice their traditions. After some time he started taking groups of people to his hometown in Kenya and showed/taught them what it is like to live there. Overall it was a pretty good book. I'd recommend it if you are looking to read an interesting memoir and wanting to learn more about other cultures.
January 9, 2024
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
This memoir is written by a man who grew up in a nomadic tribe on the African savanna in Kenya. The book mostly focuses on his time there from 1960s-1990s. In Kenya it is the law that one of the sons from each nomadic family must go to school. Schooling is not prioritized because it doesn’t provide benefit to the herding and nomadic lifestyle, so many of the families try to avoid it or drop out as soon as possible. The author decided to stay in school in order to find a way to protect his tribe. He is currently a politician in Kenyan government.
Lekuton wrote this short memoir for a young audience, so it is a short and easy read. I enjoyed his frank and honest descriptions of his life experience and only wish the book was a bit longer. He is a good story teller and there are some many more stories I would love to learn. I loved the cultural perspectives and how people in all cultures can feel at a loss when confronted with values and ways of living that do not align with their own lived experience. Glad I read this one.
Topic & Language Considerations: clean language, some graphic descriptions of hunting, herding and manhood initiation ceremonies.
This memoir is written by a man who grew up in a nomadic tribe on the African savanna in Kenya. The book mostly focuses on his time there from 1960s-1990s. In Kenya it is the law that one of the sons from each nomadic family must go to school. Schooling is not prioritized because it doesn’t provide benefit to the herding and nomadic lifestyle, so many of the families try to avoid it or drop out as soon as possible. The author decided to stay in school in order to find a way to protect his tribe. He is currently a politician in Kenyan government.
Lekuton wrote this short memoir for a young audience, so it is a short and easy read. I enjoyed his frank and honest descriptions of his life experience and only wish the book was a bit longer. He is a good story teller and there are some many more stories I would love to learn. I loved the cultural perspectives and how people in all cultures can feel at a loss when confronted with values and ways of living that do not align with their own lived experience. Glad I read this one.
Topic & Language Considerations: clean language, some graphic descriptions of hunting, herding and manhood initiation ceremonies.
July 21, 2017
Joseph grew up in Kenya and was raised in the nomadic way of life. The family group went wherever there was food for the cattle. Cattle was their life. He had the responsibility of watching over cattle at a young age. His greatest ambition was to become a warrior. A requirement is to be circumcised. Boys ages 12 to 22 have to get permission from the elders. They have to ask by making up songs praising the elders, families, or the cattle and then singing them. Every 10 to 15 years, a group of around 200 boys and young men get circumcised. The preparation is extensive and the procedure very painful. Joseph survived it and became a warrior.
Joseph's mother wanted him to go to school, so he left the family and attended boarding school where he learned the Western way of life. Sometimes he had to travel days to visit his family. A lot of events eventually led him to the United States where he attended college and became a teacher. He never forgot his culture and still works to allow more children to get an education and to make life easier for the Maasai.
Joseph's mother wanted him to go to school, so he left the family and attended boarding school where he learned the Western way of life. Sometimes he had to travel days to visit his family. A lot of events eventually led him to the United States where he attended college and became a teacher. He never forgot his culture and still works to allow more children to get an education and to make life easier for the Maasai.
February 9, 2018
Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton
WOW... JUST WOW!
5 Stars
I read this book with my 11 year old. She had to read it for school. Most of you know this is not my type of genre, but hey, a girls gotta take care of her girl ya know what I mean.
This was a very good read. Great insight into the life of a young boy growing up in a small village in Kenya. Joseph takes you from being out in the desert, starving and dying of thirst to lying about his age so he could get into school.
I never really had it put into perspective like this and I must say I liked it coming from the point of view of an actual person who lived it day in and day out.
The story-line is amazing. The pacing is fast and the dialogue flowed nicely. It's a very inspiring story. Thanks Ms. Peterson for allowing me to borrow a copy so that I could experience this with my daughter!
WOW... JUST WOW!
5 Stars
I read this book with my 11 year old. She had to read it for school. Most of you know this is not my type of genre, but hey, a girls gotta take care of her girl ya know what I mean.
This was a very good read. Great insight into the life of a young boy growing up in a small village in Kenya. Joseph takes you from being out in the desert, starving and dying of thirst to lying about his age so he could get into school.
I never really had it put into perspective like this and I must say I liked it coming from the point of view of an actual person who lived it day in and day out.
The story-line is amazing. The pacing is fast and the dialogue flowed nicely. It's a very inspiring story. Thanks Ms. Peterson for allowing me to borrow a copy so that I could experience this with my daughter!
September 25, 2021
Except for a few nights in Nairobi, all of the Kenyans with whom I spent time on my last trip to Kenya were Maasai. (The conservancies I visited lease land from the Maasai and employ only Maasai.) Several of them became my Facebook friends afterward, and a memoir written by an Israeli woman who lived among the Maasai is getting some attention from them right now. I would like to read that memoir, but it occurred to me that I would prefer to read about Maasai life from the perspective of Maasai before I start reading the views of people who are not Maasai.
All of that to say I selected several books, two by older Maasai warriors, one by a Maasai woman, and this book, which was really written for children. There’s no in-depth analysis here…just the life story, simply told, of an admirable young man who grew up a world away from me, determined to do good for his family and the world…and I enjoyed reading it.
I’m headed back to Kenya in July 2022, and I can’t wait!!
All of that to say I selected several books, two by older Maasai warriors, one by a Maasai woman, and this book, which was really written for children. There’s no in-depth analysis here…just the life story, simply told, of an admirable young man who grew up a world away from me, determined to do good for his family and the world…and I enjoyed reading it.
I’m headed back to Kenya in July 2022, and I can’t wait!!
June 6, 2020
The subtitle Growing up Maasai on the African Savanna says a lot about the summary of this book. He shares what is was like following the Maasai culture and traditions – including the initiation to manhood – and then leaving that culture for college in the U.S. He now splits his time between the two cultures.
I hadn't realized when I picked this up that it is written on a children's reading level. I enjoyed it as a glimpse into another culture and way of life. There is mention in the opening chapter of facing a lion and running away. He said he was determined to face another one to prove himself. I kept expecting that experience to be mentioned and it wasn't - unless it was just to explain about facing fears later as he grew up. The circumcision ceremony was awkward to read and I question if it was appropriate to include on a children's reading level.
I hadn't realized when I picked this up that it is written on a children's reading level. I enjoyed it as a glimpse into another culture and way of life. There is mention in the opening chapter of facing a lion and running away. He said he was determined to face another one to prove himself. I kept expecting that experience to be mentioned and it wasn't - unless it was just to explain about facing fears later as he grew up. The circumcision ceremony was awkward to read and I question if it was appropriate to include on a children's reading level.
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