Nashulai Maasai Conservancy
C12 Road
Sekenani, Maasai Mara
Kenya
Contact person: Nelson Ole Reiyia
Topics
- Environmental project
- Educational policy/project
- Women's policy
About us
Launched in 14 July, 2016 Nashulai is located in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. Notably, it is the first Maasai conservancy in the Maasai Mara to be created, governed and managed by the people whose ancestors have inhabited this beautiful land for centuries, understand it intimately, and have sustained themselves and their herds in harmony with the natural life of this globally important ecosystem.
The Maasai word “Nashulai” recognizes that we coexist — communal and natural ecosystems working together sustainably and in critical support of each other. From the outset, Nashulai was committed to disrupting the established “fortress conservation” model which for years has displaced indigenous people from their ancestral lands in the name of conservation, and continues to do so.
Our private community-run conservancy is a 5000 acre a triangle of land abutting the Mara National Reserve on one side and two other large conservancies on the others, so it is a “keystone” area in the Maasai Mara ecosystem – a critical migratory corridor (from the Serengeti in Tanzania up through the Mara in Kenya) and ancient elephant nursery.
Our mission
• Conserve Wildlife
• Preserve Culture
• Reverse Poverty
Each dimension is profoundly related to and dependent for its success on the others.
Projects:
• Our Nashulai Cultural Training Institute welcomes and empowers youth from throughout East Africa to study Maasai-cultural based conservation management, scouting/guiding and community development; combined with leading-edge science and technology training.
• The Nashulai Model Outreach Initiative. We’re so pleased that two neighbouring communities have recently established conservancies of their own, using the Nashulai Model, and the Institute has been providing guidance at their request. Nashulai is offering ranger and staff training to our neighbours, combining traditional Maasai knowledge with study of the latest in conservation management science.
• The Nashulai Fellowship Program. We like to see Nashulai as a conservation hub not just for Maasailand but for the entire world.
• The Storytellers Project Netii Apa—the Stories Café--is being built as a place for the elders, for men, women and children, to gather to share, teach and record the fast disappearing songs, stories, Maa language, and ancestral wisdom.
• Reconnecting With Maasai Culture. In addition to strengthening the culture of Maasilaind, we offer an opportunity for urban Maasi who grew up separated from their language, culture and homeland the opportunity to reconnect with it.
• Our Nashulai Women Empowerment Project runs workshops throughout Maasailand to educate Elders, men, women, girls, and boys, on the harmful effects of early child marriages, FGM, and the benefits of girl’s education and female economic empowerment.
• The Sekenani River Restoration Project: Reduction in non-biodegradable waste in the river; reduction in sand harvesting and reduction in illegal logging.
Nelson Ole Reiyia is the Co-Founder / CEO of Nashulai Maasai Conservancy.
For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.