Warrior Watchman

This story begins with unfortunate circumstances on an otherwise auspicious day.

Last Friday we had our first ever party at our house for our friend Pilli’s birthday! I made my yumcious spaghetti (simmered for hours), someone brought a huge cake, and we realized that our house really is wonderful for entertaining (much more so when we finally get a dining table- O Lord send us a dining table). It went late into the evening, and then Ema took everyone home after so we were up very late. As we were finally shutting up the house in the wee hours— suddenly Ema shouted in like the scariest voice I’ve ever heard (in Swahili so I dunno what he said), several octaves deeper than his normal voice. My heart was in my throat and he let me know that he saw a face outside our window sneaking around, as he unlocked the front door to run out and confront him. I looked and saw the intruder much too easily climbing back out of our wall/gate that has sharp spikes all around the top to keep such people out. 

Ya. Terrifying and maddening. Though we were up late, neither of us really slept that night. It’s crazy how a near miss of a would be burglar can make you feel. Vulnerable. Angry. Scared. Violated. How dare he? Then the whole idea of— when people steal from people who are already have serious money issues— the injustice of it. (Like that one time I only had $100 to last me a month and someone hacked into my bank account and stole $99. I mean come ON, isn’t there someone better to steal from?)

The next night Ema woke up several times in the night to patrol, and the same guy came back!!! Ema came out of the bedroom at 4 AM, looked through the front window and the guy was standing on the porch! News I unfortunately received the next morning. Unbelievable! So we were both spooked, though I think Ema was much more spooked and upset about the matter. 

The third night, we had no reason to think he wouldn’t come back so it was like “Home Alone” at our homestead. Traps and signs warning people not to come in, etc. Ema didn’t sleep the whole night and played the part of Night Watchman for our house. (What a guy!!). And of course, the dumb guy didn’t come back that night. 

Day 4 we knew something needed to be done, Ema needs sleep and we need to feel safe in our house. So Ema was on the case. By the end of the day, he showed up with the coolest group of tribal Maasai Tanzanians I could have ever expected to come into my gate. 

The Maasai: I’m a bit of a fangirl for this tribal group, because they walk around looking like they own the place no matter where they are. They are this warrior tribe, mostly nomadic and cattle raising that live out in the game reserves and national parks usually. They’re amazing runners, and can run very long distances very fast. There used to be this practice (now technically illegal) that when it was time for a boy to enter manhood, he was expected to kill a lion. Badass. The way they carry themselves is just so fierce. Not to mention they all wear machetes on their belts, and some carry spears or these deadly looking sticks. So naturally, when they move to the city an obvious job choice would be as Watchman. 

The other benefits are — they have friends everywhere. If something goes down, there’s strength in their numbers. They’re fairly low maintenance and don’t mind sitting outside all day. If they can’t make it they can always find someone to take over for the night. They’re friendly and awesome. (I have no less than three paintings up in my house depicting Maasai scenes that I love. Brought them to Thailand and framed them there, and then sent them back to Tanzania because they’re so beautiful.)

And it should also go without saying that this is such an unexpected way for us to get to know the family! Four different generations showed up and the older uncle was the one who decided to be our main guy. The family is so warm and friendly and loves to talk. Though we haven't officially started the business we have planned to start, it's cool that we already have some employees to begin a version of "business as missions" with. 

Lion Hunters as night watchmen. Man are we living in Africa or what?

This is not exactly our guy, but looks pretty much the same. (I can't seem to get a good pic at night, so I stole this from the interwebs 😂😂😂)