Report:The Second Maasai Olympic Symposium　“Competition for Wildlife Conservation”(6th March, 2015)

更新日:2016/03/16

On 6 March, the JSPS Nairobi Research Station cosponsored a symposium with the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. Held at the Embassy, its theme was “The 2nd Maasai Olympics Symposium: Competition for Wildlife Conservation?.”
The Maasai people have for long years practiced their cultural rite of passage to manhood by hunting and killing lions. However, this traditional practice has become detrimental to the conservation of lions, which are now on the brink of extinction. In order to protect wildlife, the Maasai have replaced their lion hunt with an athletic competition, the Maasai Olympics. Held in December 2014, the second Maasai Olympics attracted hundreds of spectators to watch young Maasai “warriors” compete in Amboseli National Park. The sporting events mirrored such traditional Maasai warrior skills as “hunting, running, herding, and even dancing.”
　At the symposium, the main speaker, Dr. Toshio Meguro (Research Associate, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa) explained how these Olympics have converted the Maasai’s hunt for lions into a pursuit for wildlife conservation. The approximately 60 people who attended the symposium enjoyed a lively panel discussion, giving them a renewed chance to think about the meaning and value of African cultural and environmental conservation.  

Title: Competition for Wildlife Conservation
Date: 6th March, 2015
Venue:Japan Information & Culture Centre at the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi
Abstract:
The Maasai have for so many years practiced their cultural rite of passage by hunting and killing lions. However, these traditional practices have proved to be detrimental to the conservation of the environment. Hundreds of spectators including journalist, local residents and tourists from around the world gathered to observe Maasai “warriors” take part in the Maasai Olympics at the Amboseli National Park in December 2014 campaign to shift from environmental degradation to conservation.

Program:
13:30 Gate Open
14:00 Opening
14:05 Presentation by Dr. Toshio Meguro (Research Associate, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)
14:30 Presentation by Sontika Melok (a chief of Laitayok Maasai)
14:40 Presentation by Mr. Salaton Tome (Lecturer, Maasai Mara University) & Mr. Lekishon Kenana (Senior Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service)
14:55 Panel Discussion
15:25 Q&A
15:55 Closing
16:00 Refreshment
Venue: Multi-purpose Hall, Japan Information and Culture Centre of the Embassy of Japan
(Physical Address: Mara Road, Upper hill, Nairobi – Kenya)

Panelists:
1)Dr. Toshio Meguro (Ph.D., Research Associate, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan)
2)Mr. Sontika Melok (a chief of Laitayok Maasai, Kenya)
3)Mr. Salaton Tome (Lecturer, Maasai Mara University)
4)Mr. Lekishon Kenana(Senior Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service)
Moderator:
Daisuke MIZOGUCHI (JSPS, Nairobi Research Station)

Key Questions
§ What is the history of Maasai Olympics?
§ What was it like in December 2014?
§ Will it really lead to the conservation of wildlife?