Eila in the Field: Community work

Here in Kenya we are lucky enough to be part of one of the longest running primate field studies, the Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project. Dr. Shirley Strum, the director of UNBP, learned early on that working with the local community is a key ingredient in a successful long-term primate project. UNBP has been involved in several community projects in Laikipia from a school conservation club to establishing a local resource and cultural center. By working to develop new outreach programs and provide a place for community members to actively maintain their Maasai culture, UNBP is hoping not only to give back to the community that generously allows us to study baboons on their land, but also to help the community preserve the cultural traditions that are threatened by the developing world.

As part of our experiences here we are lucky to have the opportunity to be involved in some of these community activities. Here is a look at what we have been able to do so far:

Twala Cultural Village:

One of the largest success stories is that of Twala Cultural Village. The village is owned and operated by women from the local Il Polei and Munishoi communities. Its overall goal is to provide income for the women and to give the larger community a place to get together. The Tenebo Resource Centre, tenebo meaning ‘come together’, provides groups a place to meet and share ideas and information. The various projects that have been developed at the village include:

1.Cultural homestays: Where guests can stay in traditional houses within the Maasai village.

2. Maasai beadwork: The village houses a large store of jewelry, baskets and other items handmade by Twala women.

3. Aloe plantation: Grown for the production of lotion, soaps, and other natural products.

4. Bee keeping: For the production of organic honey, which is then packaged and marketed by Desert Edge bio-enterprise.

5. Plant walks: For generations, Massai have been using local plants for treating various ailments. Guests are able to share in this indigenous knowledge on an expertly guided walk through the conservancy surrounding Twala village.

6. Cattle and goat walks: Similarly, cattle and goats are at the core of Maasai life and guests are able to experience livestock herding with Maasai herders and learn about their role in the ecosystem and society.

7. Last, but not least, Baboon walks: Guests can walk alongside the UNBP habituated tourist baboon troop. While this is less exciting for us baboon researchers, it is an exceptional experience for visitors to the area. The guides are experts on the ins and outs of baboon society as well as the ecological aspects of their lives on Laikipia.

I first went to Twala in July when Joan and I were here for our short look-see. We were able to take a nice tour of the village and talk with some of the women who live and work there.

Painting Club

More recently, we have been helping out at the Il Polei Primary School in the after school Painting Club. Our ecological researcher, John Kenge, has been running the club for the last several years as practice for his future career in teaching. As art education is often missing from standard curriculum, the painting club offers students the chance to explore their artistic talents. They love the painting and adore John. He’s going to make a wonderful teacher one day soon!

Near the end of October we had a great visit from Jim Bleisner, a professor of Urban Planning at UC San Diego and artist, and Valerie Stallings, a retired councilwoman from San Diego (also see above for photos of Valerie dancing with the women of Twala). We had a lot of fun with both Jim and Valerie with the baboons and in the area. Maybe the most special part of the visit was Jim doing a little art instruction in painting club. The students sat silently, all their attention focused on Jim and his instructions. The rest of us went around the room helping and praising the great work being done by the students.