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Kenya’s Famed ’Maasai’ Come Out Of Africa For Summer In Abu Dhabi |
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Visitors to Abu Dhabi Mall this week will go face-to-face with descendants of one of Africa’s most celebrated tribes thanks to international dance troupe, ‘Friends of Sironka’, who are performing as part of the Summer in Abu Dhabi family festival. The 15-strong group, who are direct ancestors of Kenya’s revered Maasai tribes, are making their Middle East debut at the festival, which runs until 4th August across the emirate. They are performing traditional hunting songs, ancestral dances and soothing celebratory chants, such as the ‘Tigirayu Nanana’ and the ‘Ole Resia’, which they hope will leave Abu Dhabi visitors more enlightened about Kenyan culture. “My husband is a bastik artist and he wanted to paint the Maasai people in their true likeness. We thought, what better way to show people our real culture than for them to see it in reality,” said Seleina Sironka, who started the troupe more than a decade ago. The group also has a positive social founding, as it allows Kenyans, who come from impoverished backgrounds, a chance to support their families back home. “We started forming the group by holding auditions in different villages throughout Kenya looking for the best talent. The people we chose are from very needy families as we wanted to help as many people as possible, giving them the opportunity to travel and earn money. When they return to Kenya they will be able to buy land, build houses for their families and put their children through school,” added Sironka. The Friends of Sironka’s performances, which run daily at Abu Dhabi Mall from 4pm, combine raw athleticism and rhythm. Songs are sung in the traditional Maa dialect. The opening act is the celebratory Namba and Emparo songs, which were performed by Maasais at weddings and other special occasions. The high pitched singing and chanting represent the Maasais’ nomadic heritage, when they had to protect their livestock from wild animals. The songs’ intimidating noises are intended to scare predators, such as lions and hyenas, so they would learn to stay away from the tribe’s camps. The group also performs a song representing the ‘Kipolonga’ legend, which tells the story of one of Kenya’s most beautiful women who was famed for her inner strength as much as her external looks. Perhaps the most intriguing display for Abu Dhabi crowds is the jumping dance, which, Sironka explains, is more than just an energetic routine. “The roots of this dance can be traced back many years, and is the way, in our culture, that men attract partners. Within a village there may be a beautiful woman that the warriors want to marry. In an effort to win her hand they would hold competitions to see who could jump the highest,” said Sironka. The troupe has also brought their full traditional costume with them for the Abu Dhabi show, which runs until 22nd July, adding a colourful dimension to the performance. “The only slight difference,” adds Seleina, “is that this much decoration and beading would only be worn for special occasions. Ladies wear special headdresses, and the men adorn themselves with beads. You can tell the maturity of a Maasai by the amount of decoration they wear, so if they have many layers of beading they are an older, more respected, tribe member.” Following their performances, the troupe will host ‘Meet & Greet’ sessions where they will have their photos taken with the audience and answer their questions. Cultural performers are taking centre stage throughout Summer in Abu Dhabi’s participating shopping malls with international troupes such as the Mongolian Khalkhas, Papua New Guinea Hulis, New Zealand Maoris and Botswanian Khoisans entertaining with their unique ritual dances. A host of activities are also running throughout Abu Dhabi Mall and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi and Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain including the Mad Scientist Laboratory, where professors will conduct real-life experiments with fun and unpredictable results; Junior Cooking Schools, where budding chefs will design their own cupcakes under the careful supervision of top chefs; and Showbot & The Droidz, where kids can make friends with talking, walking robots. Shops are backing up the festival with fantastic deals. Summer in Abu Dhabi, which for the first time boasts attractions in the emirate’s Oasis City of Al Ain, includes great family activities, award-winning international acts, best-in-class edutainment and unbeatable ticket, hotel and attraction deals. It runs from 4-10pm on Sunday through Thursday and from 2-10pm on Friday and Saturday until 4th August. Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the festival takes in eight venues for 2010 including the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s (ADNEC) Hall 11 and its recently-launched Abu Dhabi Hall – the GCC’s largest indoor entertainment venue. Throughout Summer in Abu Dhabi, ADTA and its stakeholders are offering an expansive ‘one-for-one’ campaign which gets GCC travellers free air seats, complimentary room nights, meal deals, discounted attractions and free tours. More than 30 four and five star hotels in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are taking part in the promotion, which is also open to UAE residents. For more information, please log onto www.summerinabudhabi.com |
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