AFRICA.The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens:

It is with tear drops and sadness that today I am saying goodbye to my dear friends the Maasai.

Over the past two months, they given me their trust and love and allowed my lens to take an intimate journey into their lifestyle, challenges, passions and sadnesses.

My journey through our rich world must continue.

I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed our jaunt into the up close and personal life of this very special African culture.

In January, we embark again.

AFRICA.The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens.

AFRICA.The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens.

AFRICA. The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens:

The innocence of a little child wrapped in the warm, protective, loving arms of his mother is a universal symbol of a need for peace around our beautiful world.

AFRICA. The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens:

The small innocent children of the Maasai villages send their love, happiness and smiling joy to all of you.

As I reflect on my Maasai series of images on Through Harold’s Lens over the past few of months, I realize how happy a child can be in with only love and care from family and just a few simple items of life. Being responsible for taking care of a newborn baby lamb. Drawing with a crayon. Playing Tic, Tac Toe in the dirt. Tickling each other with feathers. Creating music with the small harmonica I gave them.

AFRICA. The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens:

The Maasai lead a semi-nomadic life. Their homes are loosely constructed and semi-permanent. They are usually small, circular houses built by the women using what the Serengeti provides for them, mud, grass, wood and cow-dung.

AFRICA. The Serengeti Through Harold’s Lens:

Another Maasai 15-year old I found spending his six months alone out on the Serengeti.

Through rituals and ceremonies, including circumcision, these Maasai boys are guided and mentored by their fathers and other elders on how to become a warrior.

Although they still live their carefree lives as boys – raiding cattle, chasing young girls, and game hunting – a Maasai boy must also learn all of the cultural practices, customary laws and responsibilities he’ll require as an elder.