90-year-old Maasai man holds ceremony in readiness for his death

Imagine this, clocking your sunset years and realizing that your health is declining, so you begin planning for your death early.

That is the case of 90-year-old Nelelta Naurori in Narok County, who held a celebration in accordance with Maasai customs in preparation for his death.

The nonagenarian says he has lived his life to the fullest and is now ready to exit the stage, with the sun rise early Saturday morning at his expansive 270-acre farm acting a reminder to his polygamous family of the decades of happiness and togetherness they have shared together.

To his 10 wives, 81 children and almost a thousand grandchildren, the reality of an imminent separation has dawned and they cannot deny it.

A ceremony in line with Maasai traditions was held where an unblemished bull was slaughtered and meat from its right side was first shared among Mzee Naurori and his 10 wives.

Mzee Naurori’s rare move according to Maasai traditions coincides with Olosir Enkop, which stands for the short rains period, otherwise known as the lambing period in Maasai land that comes immediately after Pushuka (flowering of Savanna trees) in November.

In a low-key celebration after Mzee’s family was done feasting, meat was shared among the neighbors with the bull’s head, horns and crown left to decay within the compound.

Oil extracted from the bull was kept safe for embalming the body of Mzee Naurori after his death.

That’s not all; the climax of the celebration was the hearty traditional song sang by his 10 wives to reminisce on the good old days and their commitment to their husband.

In an interview with Citizen TV crew, Mzee Naurori said he could not be any more proud of his achievements admitting that he is ready to die having left a legacy to emulate.

The death preparation in the Maasai tradition existed though it has been overtaken by events and is no longer practiced.