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SOUTHWELL MINISTER VISIT
By Newark Advertiser
Maasai Warriors from Kenya have visited Southwell
Minster as part of a national UK tour. The Maasai Cricket
Warriors were formed in 2007, and use their fame and
love for cricket as an inspiration to educate communities
on social justice. They have been raising awareness of
gender inequality, the campaign to end FGM (female
genital mutilation) hate crime, modern slavery, and
conservation, while promoting their culture and country.
The Dean of Southwell, the Very Rev
Nicola Sullivan, welcomes two of the Massai Warriors to
Southwell Minster. (4024309) They have been hosted by
the Mojatu Foundation and Nottingham Trent University,
which provided accommodation at Brackenhurst while
the group was in Southwell. After a tour of the minster by
head steward Shaun Boney, the warriors put on a lively
traditional display in front of an audience in the crossing,
before staying for evening prayers.
The Dean of Southwell, the Very Rev Nicola Sullivan, said:
“No tour of Nottinghamshire is complete without a visit
to Southwell Minster and we were honoured to welcome
these special guests. “They seemed to love the peaceful
beauty of the minster and also meeting local people who
had come to see the warriors’ colourful and energetic
dance and performance. “The Maasai Cricket Warriors
have a serious message in speaking on issues of social
justice, gender equality and we learnt much from them.”
The Maasai Cricket Warriors play in their traditional
clothing, blood red ‘shukas’ and bright, beaded necklaces,
symbolising the importance of maintaining and
promoting the positive aspects of their culture. They
are known for drawing on their skills of spear throwing
and using a shield to bat and bowl. They have played
internationally, including in the UK, Australia and South
Africa. The Maasai people of East Africa are globally
famous for their culture, attire, striking physical features
and a strong desire to maintain their traditional way of life.
However, in a strongly male-dominated community, there
are social injustices faced by girls and women.
In 2016 the Nottingham-based Mojatu Foundation, a
leading organisation in the global campaign to end
FGM, was instrumental in getting the city to declare
zero tolerance to FGM, the first city in UK and Europe to
officially do so.
Valentine Nkoyo, lead tour organiser and chief executive
of the Mojatu Foundation, said: “It has been my dream for
four years to bring this team from my Maasai community
to the UK for a series of activities, community events and
to facilitate cultural exchange in the UK.
“We are pleased that this is becoming a reality and we are
grateful to all our partners and sponsors. “The team is really
changing attitudes of male-dominated communities to
value girls’ and women’s rights while advocating for gender
equality and we hope to have a legacy. “This is a great
moment not only for Kenyans but all communities.”
The Maasai Cricket Warriors have been in the UK taking
part in activities, such as cricket matches and festivals,
fashion shows and music, a conference, meet-and-greets,
film screening, question-and-answer sessions and cultural
events like the grand African Farm Festival in Nottingham.