Honors Students' Abstracts
Saning'o
Matthew Rice
What will happen to us if we change our way of life? This major question currently troubles the Maasai of Tanzania. Their traditional way of life may seem unscathed by the outside world, but this simply is not true. Maasai people like Richard Saning’o Ole Soombe are caught in between their beloved roots and a capitalist world. Unfortunately, they are being forced to prove their economic worth in a global economy. I befriended Richard Saning'o this past summer. He allowed me to make a 10-minute documentary film about his fascinating life and culture. Richard Saning’o was given two names at birth. First he was given his Maasai name, Saning’o. Saning’o is a Moran among the Maasai. He is a warrior for the community. Saning’o was also baptized as a Christian and given the name Richard. Richard is currently a student at Moshi University College of Co-operative and Business Studies. This identity is one that he is most familiar with. It is not an identity however that he wishes to be recognized by.