The Honey Bird: An authentic Masai story in English and KiSwahili (Volume 4)
David Read tells his African legends and stories from first hand experience. He was, and is still today, “Debbe” to the Masai people, with whom he spent many years of his childhood. David was born in Kenya in 1922, and spent his formative years living amongst the Masai people. From the age of seven Masai was David’s first language, and he ran wild with the tribes-people, learning and absorbing their culture, customs, ceremonies and ethos.   This idyllic life in Tanganyika was interrupted by the need for a more formal period of education. David qualified and worked as a metallurgist, however his work was cut short by the Second World War, during which he served with a number of  East African units.   After the War he spent six years working for the Tanganyika Veterinary Department, which gave him the opportunity to  renew his early associations with the Masai people. He owned a farm on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, but with the gaining  of independence by the East African countries, life became more tenuous and difficult for him. Finally in 1979 he returned to Kenya as an Agricultural Consultant. Today David Read lives in Usa River near Arusha with his jack-russel Funza.   David has a unique quiver of qualifications: farmer, cattle dealer, hunter, aviator, fisherman and boat builder.  His first love remains the Masai people, with whom he continues to be closely involved. www.david-read.com