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Rotary.org wrote a nice article about Kimeli recently
Maasai warrior hopes to work for diplomacy
From http://www.rotary.org/en/mediaandnews/news/pages/090729_news_naiyomah.aspx
By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News -- 29 July 2009
Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, incoming Rotary World Peace Fellow, collaborated on 14 Cows For America describing his Maasai tribe's response to the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
When Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah returned home to Kenya months after witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York City, he found that most of his fellow Maasai, a nomadic warrior tribe, had only a vague understanding of the events of that day.
Naiyomah, an incoming Rotary World Peace Fellow, shared firsthand accounts with the East African tribe, using the oral tradition it has relied upon for years. Deeply moved by his story, Maasai elders felt compelled to do something to help.
That something turned out to be a decision to send a herd of cows to the United States as a display of sympathy and regret.
Naiyomah has collaborated with award-winning author Carmen Agra Deedy on 14 Cows for America , an illustrated children's book about his tribe's response, which received international attention. The book explains how cows are sacred to Maasai and valued above all other possessions.
"The cow is a symbol of life for us," says Naiyomah "What happened that day was devastating to me."
Although the cows were never shipped to the United States -- State Department officials decided it would cost more than the value of the herd to import them -- the tribe decided to keep them for the Americans, setting the cows apart and vowing never to slaughter them.
"The story focuses on healing and solution," says Naiyomah. "I think children can best understand that, because their hearts are so innocent. The future of a more compassionate world starts with them."
In February, Naiyomah will attend the Rotary Center for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia.
"Rotary International answered my prayers to belong to an organization that embodies what I silently believe in my heart: that using compassion can help solve problems," he says. "Rotarians are ordinary people taking extraordinary actions to foster relations with countries around the world."
Naiyomah says he hopes the peace studies program will help him find ways to promote peace.
The 9/11 attacks "showed me there's something very wrong with world relations," he says. "There is something lacking in diplomacy that I want to find out."
Naiyomah believes world leaders need to practice "compassionate diplomacy," valuing the lives of people over political expediency.
"Compassionate diplomacy must start by understanding and approaching conflicts with a caring aspect," he says. "Yes, one person can make a difference in the world. But only if they see themselves as the world, not as individuals."
Chosen as the state of Georgia's selection for the 2009 National Book Festival , 14 Cows for America goes on sale 1 August. Naiyomah has requested that his share of royalties from the book be used toward the purchase of copies to be given to families of 9/11 victims.
From http://www.rotary.org/en/mediaandnews/news/pages/090729_news_naiyomah.aspx
By Ryan Hyland
Rotary International News -- 29 July 2009
Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, incoming Rotary World Peace Fellow, collaborated on 14 Cows For America describing his Maasai tribe's response to the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
When Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah returned home to Kenya months after witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York City, he found that most of his fellow Maasai, a nomadic warrior tribe, had only a vague understanding of the events of that day.
Naiyomah, an incoming Rotary World Peace Fellow, shared firsthand accounts with the East African tribe, using the oral tradition it has relied upon for years. Deeply moved by his story, Maasai elders felt compelled to do something to help.
That something turned out to be a decision to send a herd of cows to the United States as a display of sympathy and regret.
Naiyomah has collaborated with award-winning author Carmen Agra Deedy on 14 Cows for America , an illustrated children's book about his tribe's response, which received international attention. The book explains how cows are sacred to Maasai and valued above all other possessions.
"The cow is a symbol of life for us," says Naiyomah "What happened that day was devastating to me."
Although the cows were never shipped to the United States -- State Department officials decided it would cost more than the value of the herd to import them -- the tribe decided to keep them for the Americans, setting the cows apart and vowing never to slaughter them.
"The story focuses on healing and solution," says Naiyomah. "I think children can best understand that, because their hearts are so innocent. The future of a more compassionate world starts with them."
In February, Naiyomah will attend the Rotary Center for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia.
"Rotary International answered my prayers to belong to an organization that embodies what I silently believe in my heart: that using compassion can help solve problems," he says. "Rotarians are ordinary people taking extraordinary actions to foster relations with countries around the world."
Naiyomah says he hopes the peace studies program will help him find ways to promote peace.
The 9/11 attacks "showed me there's something very wrong with world relations," he says. "There is something lacking in diplomacy that I want to find out."
Naiyomah believes world leaders need to practice "compassionate diplomacy," valuing the lives of people over political expediency.
"Compassionate diplomacy must start by understanding and approaching conflicts with a caring aspect," he says. "Yes, one person can make a difference in the world. But only if they see themselves as the world, not as individuals."
Chosen as the state of Georgia's selection for the 2009 National Book Festival , 14 Cows for America goes on sale 1 August. Naiyomah has requested that his share of royalties from the book be used toward the purchase of copies to be given to families of 9/11 victims.
One of the first articles about Kimeli from the BBC
Kenyan Masai donate cows to US
Monday, 3 June, 2002, 15:16 GMT 16:16 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2022942.stm
US embassy deputy head William Brancick
American diplomats have been given 14 cows by Kenyan Masai tribespeople in a gesture of sympathy following the 11 September attacks.
The cattle - regarded as sacred by the Masai - were handed over to William Brancick, deputy head of the US embassy in Kenya in a remote village near the border with Tanzania.
For many of the Masai - who have no running water, electricity or telephones - his recollection to them of the events was the first time they had heard of the attacks in Washington and New York, which killed more than 3,000 people.
Mr Naiyomah described the huge fires and the sight of people jumping from tall buildings. Most of his audience did not know what a skyscraper was.
Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network are thought to have been behind the US attack, and also the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 200 Africans.
"This is the ultimate gift a Masai can give," Mr Naiyomah told Reuters news agency.
"I knew my people, I knew they are merciful - they can be fierce and deadly when provoked - but they are also the type of people who can easily cry for the pain of other people."
'Expression of regard'
The US national anthem played as the herdsmen handed over the cattle.
"I know that for the Masai people the cow is valued above all possessions and that the gift of a cow is the highest expression of regard and sympathy," Mr Brancick said.
"When we count the value of these cows, and when we add the value of the great spirits that gave them, we can say without doubt that you seem richer still."
The cattle will not be taken to America but will be sold at a local market and the proceeds used to buy beads.
Masai women will then fashion traditional beadwork with commemorative messages, including perhaps the Stars and Stripes of the US flag.
The Masai craftwork will then be handed over to the people of New York for display in the city.
Monday, 3 June, 2002, 15:16 GMT 16:16 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2022942.stm
US embassy deputy head William Brancick
American diplomats have been given 14 cows by Kenyan Masai tribespeople in a gesture of sympathy following the 11 September attacks.
The cattle - regarded as sacred by the Masai - were handed over to William Brancick, deputy head of the US embassy in Kenya in a remote village near the border with Tanzania.
The ceremony was marked by tribespeople in traditional red robes and jewellery, some of whom carried banners saying "To the people of America, we give these cows to help you".
It was arranged by Kimeli Naiyomah, a Kenyan-born man who was studying in New York at the time of the disaster.For many of the Masai - who have no running water, electricity or telephones - his recollection to them of the events was the first time they had heard of the attacks in Washington and New York, which killed more than 3,000 people.
Mr Naiyomah described the huge fires and the sight of people jumping from tall buildings. Most of his audience did not know what a skyscraper was.
Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network are thought to have been behind the US attack, and also the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 200 Africans.
"This is the ultimate gift a Masai can give," Mr Naiyomah told Reuters news agency.
"I knew my people, I knew they are merciful - they can be fierce and deadly when provoked - but they are also the type of people who can easily cry for the pain of other people."
'Expression of regard'
The US national anthem played as the herdsmen handed over the cattle.
"I know that for the Masai people the cow is valued above all possessions and that the gift of a cow is the highest expression of regard and sympathy," Mr Brancick said.
"When we count the value of these cows, and when we add the value of the great spirits that gave them, we can say without doubt that you seem richer still."
The cattle will not be taken to America but will be sold at a local market and the proceeds used to buy beads.
Masai women will then fashion traditional beadwork with commemorative messages, including perhaps the Stars and Stripes of the US flag.
The Masai craftwork will then be handed over to the people of New York for display in the city.
Welcome to Kimeli Naiyomah's new website
Things are getting underway here at Kimeli Central. Mr. Naiyomah has an exciting year lined up, hopefully the internet can keep pace.
