The government has given all groups equal rights to the land which means that the Maasai do not have a recognized status as a protected group with regards to land use. He saw his own people displaced by land disputes and reduced to a level of terrible poverty and alcoholism. The defense of Maasai lifestyle and cultural identity has become the focus of Meitamei's life work. Return what is best of yourself. I asked him what defines the Maasai Culture, and if we should ever crystallize a culture in time.
Culture is an evolving thing.
We have to choose which elements we take. He pointed to his mouth, lacking the two lower incisors in traditional Maasai fashion, and to his pierced upper ears. We must preserve tribal languages. Our efforts are directed at creating schools where we can teach tribal languages. Meitamei has been involved with MERC for the last 6 years.