By Ruth Nesoba

BBC News, south-western Kenya



Cattle play a central role in Maasai life

At a special ceremony of thanks, US ambassador Michael Ranneberger was welcomed to Enoosaen village, 245km south-west of Nairobi by hundreds of cheering and ululating Maasai, clad in traditional red cloaks, scarves, head-dresses and ear-rings.

"Of all the acts of solidarity and goodwill, the one that profoundly struck the heart-strings of the American people like no other was the generosity of the Maasai elders," he said in front of a poster of the US flag, the Twin Towers and a pair of cows.

The idea of the gift was that of a native of the village, Wilson Naiyomah, a Maasai who was a student at Stanford University in California in 2001, and happened to be in New York on 11 September.

"It was six months after 9/11 that I actually finally made it here," he said.

"I didn't want to do it just by donating a cow. I wanted to involve the elders that raised me, to bless it and make it sacred, to console and comfort a nation that had taken care of me and given me an education, given me a place to live. I just couldn't ignore their pain."

'One-cow-fits-all'

Cattle are highly valued among the Maasai community, and the gift of a cow is regarded as among the most precious one can receive from a Maasai, ranking alongside a child or grazing land.

When Maasai tribesmen marry, they give cows.

I really could not be prouder or happier than to announce that we wish to make a gift to the Maasai of Enoosaen

US ambassador Michael Ranneberger

When there is a friend in need or a condolence call to make, more cows.

So it was in this one-cow-fits-all spirit, that the Enoosaen elders of donated 14 prized bulls and heifers to the people of the United States.

While the gift touched surprised and touched many Americans with its honest simplicity, there was some uncertainty over where the cattle - now totalling 26 - would be kept.

To the Maasai community, such cattle is sacred and cannot be slaughtered.

It is kept as a reminder to the coming generations of the humble gesture.

But for the recipients, the US government, there was a dilemma of where to take the cattle.

Sympathy

The failure of the US to actually collect the cows for four years had at one time raised anger among some Maasai, who regarded it as a snub.

But that feeling is all gone now, and the Maasai say they are ready to take care of what have come to be known as "the American cattle" on behalf of the US government.

US ambassador Michael Ranneberger announced scholarships for local youths

And the Maasai's kind gesture to the US is bearing fruit.

Touched by their compassion, the US is now supporting various projects within the Maasai community as a way of saying thanks.

"I really could not be prouder or happier than to announce that we wish to make a gift to the Maasai of Enoosaen," Mr Ranneberger said.

"That gift is a gift of 14 [local] scholarships to needy Maasai youth. And we trust that this modest donation will be built on in years to come."

However the Maasai are adamant that theirs was just a gesture of kindness and that they did not expect anything in return.

With cow bells jangling and Maasai women thumping up and down, doing a dance they usually do in drought times to praise God, the ceremony to reciprocate the cattle ended.

The festivities in Enoosaen were an unusual way to mark the fifth anniversary of the 11 September attacks.

But then again, it was a demonstration of sympathy and kindness - the Maasai way.