In the Maasai language, Netii Apa means “once long ago.” It is how every story starts.
The true Maasai story is about our relationship to the land, about the people and wildlife who share it. A deep story about how to live harmoniously - with astute attention and profound respect for all that this land has given - and with great courage for all that is required to sustain life here.
Netii Apa, our Stories Café, is at the heart of the Nashulai endeavor, where our three dimensions Conserve Wildlife – Preserve Culture – Reverse Poverty intersect.
Netii Apa will be the knowledge center and headquarters of Nashulai. We are building a research center where indigenous knowledge, local tracking, and leading edge conservation science will come together. It is also a community center, where the people of Nashulai can come together for storytelling and public participation, and where children and youth can become engaged early in their culture and homeland. Finally, it is an international hub where Maasai people and visitors from around the world can contribute to the Nashulai endeavour and learn from each other’s cultures.
THE STORYTELLERS PROJECT
Since the rise of colonialism, our culture has been under threat - the old wisdom and oral language are quickly disappearing.
As one of our sayings goes: “when an elder dies a library burns down”.
But we will not let our culture die. With the support of the UNDP Equator Prize, we are launching the Netii Apa Storytellers Project. After training our youth on AV technology, they will digitally record and catalogue the stories, songs, and ancestral knowledge of our Nashulai elders. With the creation of a digital library, this knowledge can be preserved for and shared with our future generations and the entire world.
Our culture is diverse, and each village and region in Maasailand has its own unique stories. We aim to scale this project up over time to reach youth and elders from neighboring villages. Eventually we will train cohorts of 21st century storytellers throughout Maasailand and turn Netii Apa into a Maasailand media and cultural hub, where Maasai elders can be confident that their songs, stories and deep wisdom will be kept alive and shared throughout the world.
The Spiritual Heart of Nashulai
Netii Apa will be above all the holy space for our elders. The building is designed in the form of an “enkeguana” the traditional circle of gathering and governance. Here is where our elders will congregate and key decisions about Nashulai will be made. Netii Apa will also be where we will perform our ceremonies and rites of passage. Where our youth will be mentored by their elders on how to be a Maasai and initiated into our community.
Cultural, Vocational and Technological Training for Maasai Youth
Over the past 50 years thousands of Maasai have left Maasaliland for the cities in hope of a better life. While many have found economic opportunity their children are growing up separated from their language, culture and homeland. Conversely, many Maasai in Maasailaind lack the vocational skills to work in today’s economy. At Netii Apa we are developing cultural training programs so young urban Maasai throughout East Africa can come and reconnect with their songs, land, and traditions, along with vocational and technological training programs so our youth are prepared for the modern workforce.
Creating Female Economic Empowerment
Giving the women of Nashulai increased economic empowerment and agency to provide for their families is one of our core values. Female elders are the keepers of our traditional crafting and botanical knowledge so it’s only natural to scale up them up into revenue-generating community industries.
Armed with the knowledge of our past and the skills for our future, Netii Apa will foster a greater Maasai story for the 21st century.