Maasai warriors turned athletes will compete at the first-ever Maasai Olympics on 22nd December, 2012 at Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary, Amboseli National Park – Kenya.
According to Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, Maasai warriors killed lions traditionally as a way to compete for recognition, identify leaders and attract girlfriends. The Maasai Olympics is a history-changing alternative and offers Maasai warriors a way to maintain their traditional rituals while co-existing peacefully with their eco-system through competing based upon traditional warrior skills.
Successful competitors that beat out other aspiring warriors in the local and regional levels, will compete with Maasai ecosystem-wide in five events: 200m sprint, 5000m run, spear throwing, rungu throwing, and high jump. Aside from cash prizes, the overall winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to New York City for the annual New York City Marathon in 2013 as a cultural exchange and to represent Maasai internationally.
Photo source: Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust