Blood and Leather: Maasai Shields

A renaissance in natural and cultural heritage conservation is growing in Kenya's South Rift Valley. The shield-making workshop featured in this book took place in October 2012, and is one of several cultural preservation projects. By recording the knowledge of the elders, the goal is to inspire the next generations to rekindle and retain pride through cultural knowledge.

As the workshop commenced, it became clear that shields were not the only things being crafted. The fascination and growing excitement of the young men who assisted the old warriors also crafted a bridge that spanned not just one, but two generations. Across that bridge flowed stories, history, knowledge, and pride. Just as the Maasai shield is an important symbol of the past, this workshop to faithfully recreate them had become a symbol of the future.