25/01/2025
DISCOURSE ON MAATOLOGY
Music and Religion
The late Daniel Saning'o Lesalaon who we all know as 'Ole Pakuoo' - a brilliant artiste who lives on in our hearts was a one-in-a-lifetime talent, a musical genius and if you ask me a poet of immeasurable skill and grit.
His music initially of secular Maa poetic chants then turning later into Maasai gospel should be a reference of choice for any Maa artist.
Whenever I need inspiration and a lesson on cultural replenishment, I go back to his music. His music is art. How he so effortlessly brings out our customs and norms with vivid detail in his craft just takes my breath away.
One of my favourite tunes was probably the very first song he did immediately after transitioning to Christianity, not for the religous shift but for his connotations on Maa religous rituals.
He says;
'Ataa oloikuma lolari' in reference to the tortoise which is considered a purveyor of rainfall which in turn is a default to good tidings.
Other references of our traditional worship include;
'Napolos irmong'i arusi
Napolos intawua arusi
Napolos orkiloriti
Nalepoki kule Oreteti
Napolos Mayioloo
Narrip imowuarak olarro
Narripaki kewan irng'ina'
- in reference to the sacrificial practice with each community need.
He goes on to add;
'Naing'oru inkaitin ooldoinyo
Naserem oldoinyo oudo
Otigilaki oimu enkima
Naserem esoit nasira'
- in reference to some of the worship places of the Maa religion including Volcanic Mountains, special rocks and Forests.
'Narewaki nkishu iloibonok
Inaanuta onaaleporo
Aserem Enkai Narok'
-referring to the appeasement of seers and medicine men.
Different communities had special places and holy places that had religous attachment to their being as a people. The Buganda have Budo Hill, the Scotts have Scun and many more examples. For us, the different moeities / sections or iloshon had their religious high places for sacrificial purposes.
May Daniel Saningo continue resting at the feet of NaiteruKop, Deity of the Ma
