The Maasai Olympics represent a history-changing shift from killing to conservation. At the behest of the Menye Layiok, or Maasai "cultural fathers," Big Life established this organized sporting event in 2012 based on traditional Maasai warrior skills to replace the long-held tradition of hunting lions as a mark of manhood, bravery, and prestige.
Every two years, participating villages select teams through a series of tournaments leading up to the finals across six categories. The winning team takes home a prize bull and top honors for the day.
December 15, 2018 marked the 4th Maasai Olympics finals. The next Maasai Olympics will take place in December 2020.
Learn more and donate: biglife.org
CREDITS:
Black Bean Productions is an independent production company working to tell stories of wildlife conservation and human empowerment in Africa through inspiring and thought-provoking documentary film.
Sam Suter – Producer
James Suter – Director
Oliver Caldow – Director of Photography
Garth Kingwill - Editor
Dumisani Sibanda – Camera Assistant
Savannah Lee-Warden – Production Coordinator
Lauren Cawley – Production Manager
Leon Visser – Colourist
Juice Audio – Sound Design
