A Return to Africa
“But in Indigenous ways of knowing, we say that we know a thing when we know it not only with our physical senses, with our intellect, but also when we engage our intuitive ways of knowing — of emotional knowledge and spiritual knowledge. And that’s really what I mean by listening, by saying that traditional knowledge engages us in listening. And what is the story that that being might share with us, if we knew how to listen as well as we know how to see?”
- Robin Wall Kimmerer Braiding Sweetgrass
I’m looking forward to meeting up with my Maasai and Samburu friends this month. Going on game drives with each of them is a special opportunity to experience their world through their eyes. Their Indigenous knowledge and unique perspective provide rich territory for learning and heartfelt cross-cultural conversations.
It’s been 3 years since my good friend Joseph Metumi and I spent time together. Both our lives have changed a lot since our last game drive. Joseph is now married and his first born was born this week! He loves wildlife and sharing stories about his Maasai culture with me. I’ll bring him a copy of The Wisdom of Elephants and my children’s book A Mother’s Love for his baby. We have a lot of catching up to do as well as a new adventure to undertake!
Publication seems to be the dominant theme this month. I was thrilled to receive Nature’s Best Special Edition featuring the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards in the mail last week.
What a thrill to see my photos on the pages with other amazing African Wildlife Photographers. If you want to visit the exhibition you can view it online or purchase a copy of the magazine at a bookstore near you.
I’ll be posting a weekly image for the rest of June and back with new photos and stories in July. The Wisdom of Elephants has been shipped to everyone who placed an order and paid for shipping by May 30th. June orders will be processed when I return. Twende – Let’s go!