“When in your life did you stop singing?”
In indigenous cultures when a shaman met an anxious or depressed patient, they often began by asking, “When in your life did you stop singing? When in your life did you stop dancing?” Singing and dancing are an integral part of Samburu culture. They sing to celebrate; they sing to encourage; they sing to heal the broken hearts of orphan elephants.
Iconic images on sale today only at Vital Impacts
You’re receiving this week’s blog a day early because Dec. 12th is the last day 5 iconic images of elephants are available in 8x12 for $100 ONLY. All proceeds go towards helping 13 orphaned elephants at Reteti who are now ready to begin their journey back to living free in the wild. Here’s the link to the sale.
The keepers sing personal songs to the elephants as they feed:
Muosh aituan nimidek - Slow down so I can give you your milk
Bule aai nalotutekwe ntodua nkule nkoitei - Bule coming first, show the others the way
Ewooki ntae, ewooki ntae, ewooki ntae - blessing the milk
It was natural for the Samburu keepers at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary to sing to the grief-stricken baby elephants in their care. Elephants respond to the love and praise in the keepers’ voices just like our babies respond to lullabies and children’s music. Watch the action as the keepers sing the orphans in for a feeding.
Feeding time at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
These orphans arrive frail and traumatized by the loss of their mothers and family. Little Long’uro fell into a well and lost two thirds of his trunk to hyenas before he was found cold and bleeding the next morning. His chances of survival were slim, but Mary Lengees, one of the keepers at Reteti, was determined to try. Long’uro responded whole heartedly to her loving care.
Little Long’uro a few months after he arrived at Reteti in 2020.
Three years later Long’uro has adapted well to his short trunk and is thriving. You can see how much he’s grown as he stands centre stage soaking in the thank you song from the keepers last Giving Tuesday. I swear his ears are keeping time! Mary leads the song and several trunks conduct in the foreground. Long’uro is not yet ready to live on his own like the 13 older orphans. His turn will come. In the meantime, purchase a beautiful print and join the global village supporting these orphan elephants and the conservation heroes who care for them.
Long’uro rocking with the keepers
Direct link to the flash sale.
Reteti is dependent on donations to do their work. Explore all the exquisite works available by visiting Vital Impacts Print Sale.
A big thank you to @CansonInfinity @PaperandInkStudio and @ThePrintSpace! #elephants #conservation #fineart #fundraiser #wildliferescue #photography #printsale
Watch the launch video here.