The Masai warrior: A tall man in red, with a long stick, who gently leads his herd of cows, goats or sheep away from harm. When he marries, he risks his life to kill a lion as a gift to show he can provide for his wife. He is strong, noble and works in perfect harmony with the wildlife around him. The women, also clothed in red, bedecked with brightly coloured jewellery all over their body and shaved heads, carry heavy loads to their little round mud huts in a little village surrounded by a tall round fence. They tell their children the ways and tradtitions of the wild- but caring- Masai tribe. They have all they could desire.

The Masai warrior marries 10 year old girls, circumsizes them, kill themselves or lions in an act of arrogance and can never do more than walk the savannahs of Africa.

The glorified shepherd: A man in western clothes, with a stick for beating, loses his animals regularly, resulting in their death. He marries around 7 women and makes many children which he also loses. He rides a motorbike, lives in a busy town and slaughters cows with stones for fun. The men who leave their little round village behind, go to the capital to study, and later start a business selling safaris and tours of "traditional Masai villages".

The glorified shepherd is now no longer allowed by law to marry a child under 18 or to kill lions. They are granted education and the opportunity to provide financially for their family.

The Masai tribe are not what they used to be, that is clear. The government, unavoidable western tourist influence and the demand for commercial grazing lands are pushing them out of their lands and traditions. But is the change positive or negative? Are opportunities better than community? Are cruel traditions worse than am indifferent disrespect of life? Is money more beneficial than cows? Do they have a choice? And, who is happier, the western African or the tribal man?

I have no conclusion.