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One of Them: My Life Among the Maasai of Kenya
A unique look into one of the most fascinating tribes in Africa, through Western eyes. Eti Dayan, researcher and tour guide, used to visit a Maasai village during her trips to Kenya. When Dayan is invited to attend a traditional wedding at the village, she undergoes a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A few months later, she receives a small note informing her that her Maasai hostess, No'oltwati, has fallen gravely ill. Dayan decides to fly back to Kenya, and use creative ways to save No'oltwati's life. During her stay in the village, she falls in love with the members of the tribe. She is given a Maasai name, Nayolang, One of Us, and is invited to build her home in the village. One of Them tells the story of the amazing life of Eti Dayan which became and unexpectedly interlaced with those of the Maasai people in Kenya. Through Dayan’s Western perspective, the reader is allowed a rare peek into the culture of one of the world’s most unique ethnic groups. In a tone lush with honesty and grace, with impressive knowledge and great charm, Dayan relates wonderful stories we have not yet read about the Maasai daily life, special ceremonies and cultural clashes, while debating questions of belonging, sustenance, parenthood, ownership, sexuality, male and female circumcision, politics, heritage, hunting and more.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2020
315 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 16, 2020
‘A village without elders is like a tree without roots’
Israeli author Eti Dayan earned her degrees in African Studies and now divides her time between Israel and Kenya. ONE OF THEM is her debut novel.
The global attention on Black Lives Matter and racial issues is a propitious time for this fascinating new book. Dayan invites us to absorb the rich heritage of one of the people of Africa - the Massai – a Nilotic ethnic group that inhabit northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania who are especially interesting due to their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle carried out as one of their age-old customs. They welcome visits to their villages to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle in return for a fee.
The introduction to this enriching and mesmerizing book allows a candle to light the content: ‘The late 1990s. Twilight tie. The sun that had blazed through the day produces a breathtaking sunset spectacle. I’m in Kenya, on the outskirts of the Massai Mara National Reserve, inside a Massai village. I’m surrounded by tall, dark-skinned men, wearing red cloaks, holding clubs and strapped with knives. Beside them are women with shaved scalps, wearing multicolored fabrics and adorned with bracelets and necklaces. A few are holding babies. On the sidelines, snot-nosed children clad in rags are huddling, laughing and talking loudly. There’s quite a commotion in the air…All the residents of this village, about thirty people are looking at me, a forty-year-old white woman, as they mumble the name four times: “Nayolong…’One of us’…
On every page of this exceptional book the author shares the beauty of the Massai life - special ceremonies and cultural clashes, questions of belonging, sustenance, parenthood, ownership, sexuality, male and female circumcision, politics, heritage, hunting – all rendered in a manner that keeps the reader not only entertained but also in awe of a richly colorful people. As the brief synopsis provides, ‘Eti Dayan, researcher and tour guide, used to visit a Maasai village during her trips to Kenya. When Dayan is invited to attend a traditional wedding at the village, she undergoes a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A few months later, she receives a small note informing her that her Maasai hostess, No'oltwati, has fallen gravely ill. Dayan decides to fly back to Kenya, and use creative ways to save No'oltwati's life. During her stay in the village, she falls in love with the members of the tribe. She is given a Maasai name, Nayolang, One of Us, and is invited to build her home in the village. ONE OF THEM tells the story of the amazing life of Eti Dayan which became and unexpectedly interlaced with those of the Maasai people in Kenya. Through Dayan’s Western perspective, the reader is allowed a rare peek into the culture of one of the world’s most unique ethnic groups.’
Visit Kenya with Eti Dayan and grow appreciation for the authentic heritage of Africans and their descendants around the world, further supply support for the current movement to assure the black Lives Matter! Recommended.
Israeli author Eti Dayan earned her degrees in African Studies and now divides her time between Israel and Kenya. ONE OF THEM is her debut novel.
The global attention on Black Lives Matter and racial issues is a propitious time for this fascinating new book. Dayan invites us to absorb the rich heritage of one of the people of Africa - the Massai – a Nilotic ethnic group that inhabit northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania who are especially interesting due to their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle carried out as one of their age-old customs. They welcome visits to their villages to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle in return for a fee.
The introduction to this enriching and mesmerizing book allows a candle to light the content: ‘The late 1990s. Twilight tie. The sun that had blazed through the day produces a breathtaking sunset spectacle. I’m in Kenya, on the outskirts of the Massai Mara National Reserve, inside a Massai village. I’m surrounded by tall, dark-skinned men, wearing red cloaks, holding clubs and strapped with knives. Beside them are women with shaved scalps, wearing multicolored fabrics and adorned with bracelets and necklaces. A few are holding babies. On the sidelines, snot-nosed children clad in rags are huddling, laughing and talking loudly. There’s quite a commotion in the air…All the residents of this village, about thirty people are looking at me, a forty-year-old white woman, as they mumble the name four times: “Nayolong…’One of us’…
On every page of this exceptional book the author shares the beauty of the Massai life - special ceremonies and cultural clashes, questions of belonging, sustenance, parenthood, ownership, sexuality, male and female circumcision, politics, heritage, hunting – all rendered in a manner that keeps the reader not only entertained but also in awe of a richly colorful people. As the brief synopsis provides, ‘Eti Dayan, researcher and tour guide, used to visit a Maasai village during her trips to Kenya. When Dayan is invited to attend a traditional wedding at the village, she undergoes a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A few months later, she receives a small note informing her that her Maasai hostess, No'oltwati, has fallen gravely ill. Dayan decides to fly back to Kenya, and use creative ways to save No'oltwati's life. During her stay in the village, she falls in love with the members of the tribe. She is given a Maasai name, Nayolang, One of Us, and is invited to build her home in the village. ONE OF THEM tells the story of the amazing life of Eti Dayan which became and unexpectedly interlaced with those of the Maasai people in Kenya. Through Dayan’s Western perspective, the reader is allowed a rare peek into the culture of one of the world’s most unique ethnic groups.’
Visit Kenya with Eti Dayan and grow appreciation for the authentic heritage of Africans and their descendants around the world, further supply support for the current movement to assure the black Lives Matter! Recommended.
June 17, 2020
Heart-rending, poignant, thought-provoking and joyful...
The field of anthropology has long been associated with the study of primitive tribes and exotic cultures. However, Israeli author Eti Dayan sets a unique tone with her debut book “One of Them.”
How other people live their lives has always been a source of great fascination and curiosity. Now with this new book the author invites the reader, sharing her unique experiences and insights, into the Maasai people of Africa.
‘The Maasai are an indigenous ethnic group in Africa of semi-nomadic people settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Due to their distinct traditions, customs and dress and their residence near the many national game parks of East Africa, the Maasai are among the foremost African ethnic groups and are known internationally because of their links to the national parks and reserves.’
This is the author’s personal story of how she became ‘One of Them’. It was a heart-rending, poignant, thought-provoking and joyful read. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
The field of anthropology has long been associated with the study of primitive tribes and exotic cultures. However, Israeli author Eti Dayan sets a unique tone with her debut book “One of Them.”
How other people live their lives has always been a source of great fascination and curiosity. Now with this new book the author invites the reader, sharing her unique experiences and insights, into the Maasai people of Africa.
‘The Maasai are an indigenous ethnic group in Africa of semi-nomadic people settled in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Due to their distinct traditions, customs and dress and their residence near the many national game parks of East Africa, the Maasai are among the foremost African ethnic groups and are known internationally because of their links to the national parks and reserves.’
This is the author’s personal story of how she became ‘One of Them’. It was a heart-rending, poignant, thought-provoking and joyful read. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 30, 2021
Even though I’m married in the Kenyan Maasai community I still learned a few things from Eti about the dying traditions of my in-law’s communities. I have been told that many of these older traditions were from my father-in-law’s generation so I was surprised to read that Eti started living with the Maasai in 2001. She spent 15 years living with the community but it wasn’t clear how she made her money unless she continued as a tour guide. I’d be curious to know where Eti lives now and what keeps her “busy”.
October 11, 2020
Illuminating
Fascinating descriptions of a culture that seems to be changing quickly. Crisply written by a woman of great insight. I relished experiencing the African world through her eyes and appreciate her sensitivity to this culture. Really a treat to find this book.
Fascinating descriptions of a culture that seems to be changing quickly. Crisply written by a woman of great insight. I relished experiencing the African world through her eyes and appreciate her sensitivity to this culture. Really a treat to find this book.
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September 19, 2020A fascinating book that does more than simply describe Maasai society, but also challenges our Western - centric views on society and social behavior.
Well written, it was a pleasure to read.
Well written, it was a pleasure to read.
June 18, 2025
Enthralling, Educational and Magical: A reading journey I didn’t want to end
I started this book when I found out I would be meeting Eti Dayan the very next day. I read as fast as I could, but fell asleep after a long day of game drives, only getting to about 30% completion by the time I met Eti. But even so, by this time Eti was a celebrity in my eyes and it was a delight getting to meet her and her Maasai friends at the bead museum she built and now runs near Narok.
After leaving, the more I read, the slower I read. I looked forward to crawling in bed each night and being transported back to the Maasai Mara where the moonlight shone on grassy fields, and mud and cow dung huts while large shadowy figures of elephants and giraffes moved across the Savannah.
If you’ve ever visited or have any interest in visiting Maasai land, this book will add so much depth to your understanding of your experiences there. It’s full of personal stories of hardship, friendship, love, and transformation.
Thank you Eti for inviting us all into this magical world you now call home, and for sharing so many personal moments with us.
I started this book when I found out I would be meeting Eti Dayan the very next day. I read as fast as I could, but fell asleep after a long day of game drives, only getting to about 30% completion by the time I met Eti. But even so, by this time Eti was a celebrity in my eyes and it was a delight getting to meet her and her Maasai friends at the bead museum she built and now runs near Narok.
After leaving, the more I read, the slower I read. I looked forward to crawling in bed each night and being transported back to the Maasai Mara where the moonlight shone on grassy fields, and mud and cow dung huts while large shadowy figures of elephants and giraffes moved across the Savannah.
If you’ve ever visited or have any interest in visiting Maasai land, this book will add so much depth to your understanding of your experiences there. It’s full of personal stories of hardship, friendship, love, and transformation.
Thank you Eti for inviting us all into this magical world you now call home, and for sharing so many personal moments with us.
September 25, 2024
Historically this book was really good, but as most of the Maasai ways are really non existent now I felt the book was not so true. Maasai haven’t killed wild animals for a long time now but this book I think was made up more from stories than real life. I still enjoyed it and went to a set up Maasai village while in Kenya recently and saw the singing and dancing.
January 23, 2025
A Different World
Reading this book was a great learning experience. The author had the opportunity to live in the Masai world just before it began to assimilate with the rest of the world. They lived a peaceful happy existence. It’s sad that it is over. They will not realize how much they have lost through assimilation .
Reading this book was a great learning experience. The author had the opportunity to live in the Masai world just before it began to assimilate with the rest of the world. They lived a peaceful happy existence. It’s sad that it is over. They will not realize how much they have lost through assimilation .
February 23, 2024
Bought this book immediately after returning from a trip to Kenya. My daughter and I visited a Maasai Village while traveling. Took a few days to read and to absorb everything I was reading. I was curious to learn more about the culture. Was it a “show” we saw or real? Very reflective reading.
March 21, 2024
Working with the Maasai for the past three years made me read this book. I’ve rehashed every conversation I’ve had now, better understanding what was said and what was meant. I love these people and their culture. This book shed so much light into them and helped immensely.
March 18, 2025
Thank you for sharing for life in Kenya
I truly appreciate your life experience in Kenya and it saddens me that the Maasai are taken up the Western ways.
We Westerners can learn a great deal from them about how to incorporate unity in communities.
I truly appreciate your life experience in Kenya and it saddens me that the Maasai are taken up the Western ways.
We Westerners can learn a great deal from them about how to incorporate unity in communities.
December 28, 2023
Un peu long mais TRES instructif! J'aime qu'il y ait une histoire/événement qui nous raconte chaque tradition!
October 13, 2024
The author, a researcher and tour guide in Kenya, lives with a Maasai tribe for about 20 years. She is the first white person to do so.
July 7, 2025
ON KINDLE
August 18, 2025
Excellent read. I learned so much about the culture of these amazing men and women. Chapter 26 changed my way of thinking more than anything I have ever read. Thank you Eti!
December 22, 2025
This book seemed long and repetitive at times, but I did learn a little more about the Maasai people from reading this book.
February 13, 2024
Brilliant kaleidoscopic view of life amoung the maasai tribes.....amazing to learn that a lot of aspects of their life is very similar to the life we have heard from our grandparents about their life in India before colonialism flattened everything to make it consistent with their values...
June 29, 2021
This book is excellent, I would highly recommend it to anyone. The book covers so many topics ranging from globalisation, medicine, food, and all other aspects that highlight the similarities and differences between Western and Maasai culture. It was refreshing to read of the viewpoints of Maasai teens towards topics such as female circumcision and other rites of passage, rather than white men who dismiss these practices without involving the people most involved with them.
I would highly recommend this book. It definitely is the best book I’ve ever read. Thank you, Eti Dayan, for retelling these stories in such an informative, thought provoking and fascinating manner. I hope to convince more people to read this book; It definitely deserves more publicity and interaction!
I would highly recommend this book. It definitely is the best book I’ve ever read. Thank you, Eti Dayan, for retelling these stories in such an informative, thought provoking and fascinating manner. I hope to convince more people to read this book; It definitely deserves more publicity and interaction!
May 12, 2022
Good experience based account of Maasai culture
This book is a helpful aid to those wanting to know more about the Maasai living in Kenya and Tanzania, especially those who will visit. The explanation of how the author came to live with the Maasai is good because she seems to explain why she cares about the culture and learned so much. I especially like the questions she asks about society and what it means to be Maasai and where they came from along with examples of their ceremonies. She offers a brief over irw of the changes occuring due by
This book is a helpful aid to those wanting to know more about the Maasai living in Kenya and Tanzania, especially those who will visit. The explanation of how the author came to live with the Maasai is good because she seems to explain why she cares about the culture and learned so much. I especially like the questions she asks about society and what it means to be Maasai and where they came from along with examples of their ceremonies. She offers a brief over irw of the changes occuring due by
November 27, 2022
This book provides in depth personal accounts of the traditional Maasai culture. The author lived among them for 15 or so years, raising children of the tribe and attending ceremonies. She has a college degree in African Studies and the memoir is enhanced with anthropological insights, a glossary and a bibliography for further study, which I am interested in enough to read as well. The book whetted my appetite for learning more about this culture and others in Africa as well as about the impact of global aid and politics.
September 24, 2020
Fascinating
The Maasai tribe, one of the better known tribes of Africa , have been featured on film and National Geographic magazines for years. This book adds on such interesting and informative facts , personal
experience by living for years among a village . That this book was written and traditions were shared and a understanding reached is important. Time will change everything and to save this experience is unique and precious.
The Maasai tribe, one of the better known tribes of Africa , have been featured on film and National Geographic magazines for years. This book adds on such interesting and informative facts , personal
experience by living for years among a village . That this book was written and traditions were shared and a understanding reached is important. Time will change everything and to save this experience is unique and precious.
September 7, 2021
Do you like to peak into and learn about another culture. Eti lives among the Maasai for years and takes you into their every ay lives as anthropologist do. She recounts her daily experiences in a story way. She is sent children to raise. I thought the book got a little long. But you go from one excitment to another. The end of the book is full of information that helps you understand their lives and how modern times have changed them.
March 30, 2022
This was a thoroughly engrossing book. It felt like I was living in the Maasai community. A true education in every facet of Maasai life. It took me about a month to read as there is a lot of information. A perfect book to pick up in between while reading others. The author is extremely articulate and draws the reader into the daily life activities of the Maasai and thoroughly answers any question that may pop into your head while reading it. Totally fascinating.
September 22, 2020
Amazing
So not the type book I would normally read but once I started I couldn't put it down.
So very educational. Sometimes I think those people are so happy and the westerners should jut leave them alone with their traditions.
So very well written, I was able to use my own imagination...
Good Job
So not the type book I would normally read but once I started I couldn't put it down.
So very educational. Sometimes I think those people are so happy and the westerners should jut leave them alone with their traditions.
So very well written, I was able to use my own imagination...
Good Job
September 10, 2020
Excellent, entertaining & most interesting!
This was a wonderul book. I learned so much about the Maasai and their way of life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in African and it's people.
This was a wonderul book. I learned so much about the Maasai and their way of life. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in African and it's people.
November 4, 2020
Understanding
A well written book, the author presents her years of living with the Maasai , with intelligence and grace. I came to appreciate a different society and understand, again, that we're all human and alike.
A well written book, the author presents her years of living with the Maasai , with intelligence and grace. I came to appreciate a different society and understand, again, that we're all human and alike.
December 18, 2020
This book was unputdownable!
I opened the book and stepped into an exciting new world, and one that I understood, much to my surprise. A life so simple and caring and full of just plain good sense.
I opened the book and stepped into an exciting new world, and one that I understood, much to my surprise. A life so simple and caring and full of just plain good sense.
July 12, 2021
Loved reading about Maasai culture through a slightly different set of eyes. I have been to East Africa numerous times and am familiar with the Maasai culture as a former student of anthropology and other readings. This particular "ethnography" was both illuminating and fascinating to read!
November 3, 2022
My husband and I read this before traveling to Kenya for a safari. It was very helpful in introducing us to the Maasai. The book was written in early 2000s and some traditions have changed in the Maasai tribes, but the book gave us a good foundation for our trip..
December 2, 2022
The Maasai
Wow! What an experience! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them. I appreciate that she explained not just their ceremonies but also how they think and what was behind traditions.
Wow! What an experience! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them. I appreciate that she explained not just their ceremonies but also how they think and what was behind traditions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews