The Maasai Women Decolonising Cultural Spaces

Title: The Maasai Women Decolonising Cultural Spaces
Media Outlet: “Living Cultures: Decolonise Cultural Spaces Project”

“In January 2020, Juliana Nainin Mashati and Evelyn Paraboy Kanei were among the seven delegates from Maasailand – Maasai territory across Kenya and Tanzania – who visited the UK. The group visited the Pitt Rivers Museum of the University of Oxford, the Horniman Museum in London and the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology in Cambridge. The aim of the delegation was to continue work around culturally important objects. They were accompanied by guidance from the spiritual leader, Lemaron Ole Parit. Maasai women from the community selected Juliana and Evelyn as representatives to make sure that their voices would be heard in the process. “We are here not just to represent ourselves. We are here to represent Maasai women and the Maasai community,” said Evelyn.

“All the objects you see here have gone through the hands of a woman,” continued Juliana as she observed the Maasai collection held at the Pitt Rivers Museum. “Women are the architects behind what there is in the museums. That is why it is crucial for women to be engaged, involved and considered in all of the discussions surrounding the objects in the museum. This is the only way in which we can best move forward.”