The Milgis Trust

In May 2010, we were camping on the South side of Mt Nyiru, when one of the Samburu came and asked me if I had seen the Frozen people…… What on earth was he talking about? So off we went to check it out!..

to find the rest of the story please go to the ‘The Milgis Journal’

http://milgistrust.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/frozen-elephants-or-elephant-matywooins/

And this is the main link http://milgistrust.wordpress.com/

If you would like to be reminded each time I write a blog, please follow these instructions!! On the left hand column of the homepage of the Milgis Journal there is a button called FOLLOW US HERE – above that button is a box where you can write in your email address. Write in your email address and then press the button FOLLOW US HERE -

sorry but for some reason I can not get the pictures to go on? I have tried again under a different title but still the same..

And what a special day it was… The Colours, The singing, The dancing.. and most important The seriousness of Kosmas big day!!..

Most people who have been on safari with us will recognise Kosma.. He along with Lemagas, are the heart and soul of our Safaris.. Kos works incredibly hard and keeps all our guests very happy!!.. Hes was chosen as our Milgis Honorary scout because every time we have had orphaned animals brought in, he has taken it upon himself to get them through their young days.. His prize was Aarge the cheetah who was so emaciated and lonely when she was found, and he gave her a reason to live.. In Samburu tradition it would be unusual for a young man to be so important in the Milgis Hierarchy but after the walk he did with Pete.. 65kms from Ngurnit to Elkanto for the Elephants and Lions he gained it naturally!!.. His radio call sign is ‘LGWAAK’ which means Hadada Ibis, a bird with plenty to say!. Kos has always got advice and lots to say on the Milgis radio network!

Kosma and his best man.. And below All ‘his’ warriors! at least on this wonderful day..They were there for him!

I love this picture below of all the warriors headdresses.. This is them singing the ‘baringoi’ the song that is the starter at all ceremonies..

THE JOURNEY to collect his beautiful bride!!.. Starts in Sware..

The two all important sheep, one for the brides mother ‘pakerr’ and one for someone poor who will be lucky!

Flooded rivers to cross.. Matabauwa..half way to Ngurnit!

NGURNIT.. Finally there.. 27th April.. The girl is from the neighbouring Rendille tribe, their traditions are very alike.. but their language is completely different… although living on the border of Samburu she at least speaks the language!!..

Delivering the ‘Pakerr’ to the brides mother..

The cow that will be slaughtered at the wedding, has to be pure white with no makings on its skin..

The women sorting out all the meat.. Each part of the cow is carefully cut and shared out to the various groups of people..

The bride ‘Gaiberten’ and her friends she will be leaving behind.. Poi mountain in the back ground.. Ngurnit is the most dramatically beautiful place.. Towering mountains on one side and desert on the other.. and with all the colour and song it was extra beautiful!

THE PARTY STARTS!

The married men and women generally dance first.. Every one gives it there best..

Then its the warriors and girls that take the show on.. From 2 pm till midnight they danced and sung, the most rhythmic beautiful sounds..

Every one that is not married can join in.. Hours and hours they will dance like this.. .. How they keep it up is beyond me.. Right into the full moon night..

We camped very close to the party, in fact from where I took this picture, and of course one was not able to sleep! But what it reminded me, is to tell all those that have the Ndoilo CD that always make sure you listen to it in a special place, with no other distractions, or noise.. Turn it on when theres a full moon coming over the horizon, or when you have a breathtaking view to look at.. Turn the volume up!, take a glass of wine and relax…. Don’t try to listen to it as back ground music!!

Anyway… Back to the wedding!.. THE NEXT MORNING.. every one waits patiently for the bride to come out of her house for the last time..

Finally our beautiful ‘Gaibarten’ arrives in all her finery, and carrying her baby on her back.. Yes kosma has a baby!!

Here she is waiting to be lead out of her old home by her two men!

The blessing from the elders as the three leave the manyatta for the last time..

The best man must look after every need of the girl, as Kosma can’t look back wards.. Her feet must not touch any water all the way home, so in theory the best man has to carry her, but luckily for him this time he will be spared!..

Taking a drink of milk to quench her thirst, as she has a long journey..

The 3 of them must not look back.. Only forwards..

Usually of course they would be walking the distance back home, but because of Kosmas long years of hard work and wonderful reliability he managed to buy himself an old landrover!.. So she’s abit lucky!! Although its going to be long and hot ‘safari’ in the front of that Landrover, for about 130 kms over roads that most people would not call a road! especially now after our amazing rains this year! It will take two days..

Going Home! And by the way the fire she will light in her new home has to be started with dung from a young Elephant!

The Milgis Trust aims to conserve the wildlife, the habitat and the peoples way of life.. This means we admire the culture of these beautiful people and we truly believe they should not lose any of their old ways.. They are good, sound and make very good sense.. This wedding was true Samburu/Rendille tradition at its best! HAPPY DAYS KOS FROM ALL OF US…

Not sure if the title makes sense, but have a look at what I mean.. Heres our Christmas family coming along well!!..

Desert warthogs… Still 3 young ones looking pretty grown up now! I’m impressed as we have been plagued by hunting dogs!! Please note I use that word as far as the pigs, and other poor old creatures are concerned, that must live in complete fear when a group of these very highly dangerous hunters are around.. We are delighted with their very vocal presence..

Last night as I sat there under a crystal clear star studded sky on the top of Elkanto, BUT listening to the Parsaloi flood roaring down towards the Milgis.. We could hear it 15kms away, so a huge amount of rain up stream!! Very exciting!.. I was trying to think of a title for my next blog of ‘mums and babes’ all caught on the night cameras in the last month, below Elkanto…. Have a look at this little show !!!

Two little Caracal Kittens following mum… there were quite a few pictures of Caracals passing the camera so we can only hope that one of them is ours!!

Bush pigs…

Mum with 6 babes in tow..

Here they come..

We have 100s of this scene, but unfortunately the camera was upside down, and too high!!.. none the less we have one picture of a beautiful hunting dog pup, and mum..

Keeping watch!..

I absolutely adore this one of the Porcupine, rushing along.. He was going so fast there was not a chance of a second shot!!

Each scouts radio call sign is an animal, and they have to learn about there specific animal and teach the rest at scouts meetings!! My call sign is ‘Eyaiye’ Porcupine in the Maa language, so I have have a special affinity with these wonderful animals!! so if any one out their has more to tell about this creature please do!!

Just a few more pictures of the months catch!!

Threatening!! Hes telling the camera to watch out!.. Come abit closer and I’ll prick you!

A beautiful portrait of a wild cat..

I reckon this has got to be a pretty fine specimen of a Desert Warthog!!

Stripy, standing high and beautiful

Finally Leo.. In pretty good shape I would say…

After the rain all around, this is what we woke up to this morning! A lovely wet Milgis Lugga..

This is what caused it!!

paintings by Nderi-’2′ .. in the new Milgis School classroom.. The *lad has been top scholar of the School, since the school started in 2006!! He says he wants to become the president of Kenya!!.. Good luck to him!

The **‘Stars’** of the Milgis Trust are many.. and most of you, the supporters are mentioned on the website, but just to say thanks to you ALL again and to follow up on some of our recent ‘stars’!! From our donors, large and Small, to all the individuals that volunteer, the hard working Trustees, and Milgis employees who all work to wards one GOAL..

‘ TO KEEP THE WILDLIFE SAFE, AND MAKE SURE EVERY ONE, HUMANS AND ANIMALS HAVE ‘PLENTY’ TO LIVE OFF!! ‘

To achieve this… *Some of us dress up as Elephants, *some give money every month, *some risk their lives following suspects tracks, or *climb mountains to give us a radio reports… *Nderi-’2′ paints incredibly clever messages on every wall that is paint able, *And some ski 90 kms to help keep the Elephants safe!! *ETC *ETC the list goes on! The Milgis Trust is a true collection of dedicated people.. just to mention a few…

The Milgis school has taken this very sweet little ‘Elephant show’ far and wide…

The Milgis School environmental club headed by *Titus!

The standard 7 new *TOTO TRUST Class room…

Somehow he manages to ‘say it all’ in every painting he has done for us.. Beautiful stuff *Nderi-’2′.. Thank you..

Our scouts are real *stars.. Brave and on the ball..

They are up and out early, early every day, to report to the Milgis base any news from their areas..

Out on patrol… Looking for that spot where he can find the base.. He is behind the Ndoto mountains about 50 kms away, trying to use a VHF radio which should only work on line of sight, but he somehow gets them!!

Our big *’Lakera’ *(star in Maa)! The manager of the Milgis Trust.. Moses Supukan Lesoloyia.. on his way to celebrate the Samburu way!

*Cecilie who is the most unbelievably dedicated Trustee.. You are total star!! Asante!

For many years the women have been asking me for help to find a market for their bead work, so that they can gain abit more Independence!.. Heres Maria teaching the women to use their amazing beading skills to make something the western world will buy.. Thank you *Maria!

Now to 3 very important solid Milgis Supporters!!

A very special THANKs to *Beverly who quietly ‘just gives’ where ever she can get her foot in the door.. You NEVER let us down..

**Bruce you are a ‘SUPER STAR’ of note.. Wish you would come and see us!!

Also *Pirjo.. You follow every moment in the Milgis, and now you have employed a very important warrior and dedicated informer Scout!! I will not mention his name as he has an important job to do.. BUT He is an orphan, both parents gone before he was even old enough to know them, and was taken on by a crippled relative…Hes struggled all his life from a little boy, highly respected, very tough, and determined.. And I am delighted to say dedicated to our Elephants!!.. He is a home guard..

*Sarah is definitely one of the stars!! She entered one of the most difficult Ski races for our Elephants.. And through her friends managed to raise around $ 4500 .. Well done Sarah..

Sarah’s words! 26th Feb 2013 ‘ I made it!! It took me 7hr and 41 mins( which I’m super happy with), it was unbelievably tough, but with every ones support, and thinking of the Elephants in the Milgis when I was struggling along, it was worth every minute .. I am so happy ‘we’ did it and that I made it to the finish!

The start was incredible, thousands of eager lycra clad skiers jostling, pushing and shoving up a narrow 4km long hill, skis and poles flying all over the place. The few downhill slopes were great for catching ones breath but an obstacle course trying to avoid skiers falling like bowling pins all over the place. After roughly 50km what little wax I had under my skis was all gone which was great on the flats but impossible up the slopes and hills, I found myself sliding backwards rather than forwards so had to stop twice to reapply more wax. All I can say is it was a challenge, a joy and an incredible adventure!! ‘

Here you can see Swedish Televisions coverage from the race on Monday morning http://www.svtplay.se/klipp/1054575/oppet-spar-med-sol-och-var

For any of her ***friends that did not receive this please find the letter below!!

Dear all, a huge and sincere THANK YOU for supporting Sarah in her great ski race last month, and in turn donating to the Milgis TrustWe have lived and operated walking safaris ( www.wildfrontierskenya.com ) in this part of Northern Kenya for many years, nearly 30 years actually, and watched in dismay as the humans living here just were not noticing that they were destroying themselves by being thoughtless… Burning their forests, killing the wildlife, overgrazing, cutting down trees etc,etc .. Its was nuts!, so in 2004 we decided after alot of thought as we knew it would change our lives to a new ‘gear’, we started the MILGIS TRUST… Conserving the Wildlife, the habitat and the pastoral peoples way of life.. Wildlife because its value needs to be valued, and theres less and less places for wildlife to live freely as it does here, the habitat because with out it we are all finished, and the pastoral way of life because I truly believe nomad ism is the best way to live in these dryer places of the world!..

So we went ahead and funnily enough our biggest and most worrying challenge is fund raising, only because Pete and I are as the world would say ‘uneducated’! We are not so good on our computers, but we know every track in the sand on the Milgis Lugga!! Despite this drawback, the Trust is making true, true progress in all other ways.. The forests have stopped burning, the wildlife is not being killed, and the people can see, and benefit from it all!.. Most of all, as we continue to do our walking safaris throughout the area we find that our work is gaining great tracks every day.!.

WHATS THE BIG CHALLENGE THEN???… As you all know Elephant poaching in Africa has become a scourge, its extremely DANGEROUS and SAD .. Dangerous because the money involved is so much and the poachers don’t care for lives.. Human nor Elephants, and sad because it is breaking up the wonderful family system that these gentle giants live by.. With all the big Elephants, male and females being shot, leaving the smaller ones reeling… Also they live in absolute fear, and its a horrible, horrible thing to watch…. WE THE MILGIS TRUST WILL NOT AND CAN NOT LET THIS HAPPEN, AND WILL DO WHAT EVER NECESSARY TO STOP IT… BUT ITS HARD… REALLY HARD TO FINANCE IT..

When Sarah wrote to me about her race, and that she wanted to help us out with our ‘Elephant watch’, I could not believe that somebody who lives so far away from the midst of these terrible deeds that are happening all around us, cared so much.. To half kill herself to help us out!!.. So first of all this is a very grateful thank you to you Sarah, and then to all your incredibly generous friends, who through sending funds to the Milgis Trust, will help us keep these poachers at bay.. And I say at bay, because of our hard working brave scouts, along with the wonderfully co-operative communities we live and work with, we have only lost one Elephant to poachers in the area where we operate since January 2012.. We’ve had many come in wounded from other areas from gun shots and die, but not shot in the area we cover.. BUT WE CAN NOT REST ONE DAY AS THE THREAT IS VERY CLOSE ALL THE TIME..

So please don’t hesitate to keep in touch with us by checking out our news from time to time.. and if you feel like supporting us in the future we would be eternally grateful…

So many THANKS from all of us in the Milgis.. The Milgis is a very personal trust mostly run by volunteers, Pete and I and many more extremely hard working friends, and every cent will make a huge difference.. ..

All the very best Helen…

THANK YOU TO ALL THE DEDICATED MILGIS SUPPORTERS HOWEVER THEY FOUND US and WHERE EVER THEY COME FROM.. Helen and Pete, and the whole team.. .. ***As a token of our thanks any one who donates $ 200 or more to the Milgis Trust.. please don’t forget to ask for a copy of our beautiful Samburu singing and chanting CD, recorded in the Parsaloi Lugga in June 2012

SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN 21 TODAY, if the Utoyia tragedy had not taken her life..

As you drive through the little dusty main drag of Masikita this sign post will definitely catch your attention… Front and back…

artist Nderi-’2′

I LOVE this painting.. With these troubled times in Masikita, with threats of armed stock thieves every day, and knowing what happened to Lena Maria, it SAYS IT ALL..’ LET US LIVE AND DRINK IN PEACE ‘

A huge huge THANK YOU to the Bergum Family who came all the way from Norway to turn the taps on in Masikita! Long may they flow with beautiful clean water from the bore hole, and quench the thirst of humans and animals alike..

A beautiful safari from the Milgis Lugga, up into the foot hills of the Northern Ndotos, and finally across the El Barta plains to Masikita…

On the road to Masikita.. A sit down for 5 minutes!..

Walking up the main Street !!

A very emotional but beautiful day for us all..

All the people of the little centre in all their finery to greet the visitors from Norway.. Unusually in Samburu culture the women are taking the lead here..a good sign, I would say!!

Happy feelings as we hear the water pouring into the tanks above the town!..

Gathering under the trees for the speeches and grateful THANKS to the Bergums, VOSS and Milgis!

Next picture of this trough will be with a Grevy Zebra drinking!! One of the biggest problems for the Grevy’s survival is the lack of water in the region.. This was built especially for these most beautiful animals, with the community of Masikita sanctioning it!.. We heard that on the 9th March 3 came in to drink!.. ( We have a new sponsor child 2013 from Masikita.. Monkana, his fathers job is to look after the water for the Grevys, to make sure there is water in the trough every evening)

Out of BAD AND SADNESS, often brings GOOD !.. And this was no exception.. thanks to the Bergums trip to Masikita, help for people who really need it.. SO MANY THANKS!!

I hate to show pictures of people with problems, but this baby, Arian has this terrible cyst like growth on his nose, and thanks to the Bergums and their supporters most of them the people of Namsos we are able to help her.. She was taken to Kijabe hospital yesterday but they can not help till may.. But she will get help..

This Boy Julius Lengushuru broke his arm falling off a lorry (he was going to a football match in Latakwen! SHAME poor guy) .. His family did not take him to hospital till his arm was completely rotten and nearly falling off, and he was nearly dead. Why!?? because they were afraid they would not beable to pay the bill.. He will also get help from the Bergums..

Patricia Nteyie Lobuk will also be lucky.. Her mother who works very hard to just keep alive asked us for help to send her lovely daughter to school.. Thanks to the Bergums shes already there!! So so happy.. The mothers job now is to look after the water in the centre of ‘town’ ( a donkey came in the night and turned on the tap, so every one learnt their lesson on the 1st night!!.. now it is fenced and Antonella is in charge!) She will also make sure the sign post is always clean and standing proud.. !!

Lene Maria clean water for Masikita

Yes the remote, dusty, dangerous centre of Masikita is the next lucky place to receive a Solar water project!! Thanks to the Bergum family from Norway who sadly lost their daughter, Lene Maria in the Utoya shooting, so wanted to remember her in a rather special and unusual way.. Also thanks to the VOSS foundation for organising the whole thing… Masikita is a very important place for many nomadic communities who come from far and wide to graze their stock here, and also for the Grevy Zebra, that live here.. The biggest problem on the Elbarta plains, where this little centre is, is WATER!! ( and insecurity, but not much we can do there!..) The Milgis Trust hopes that this project will really alleviate this problem.. We have put a very good and reliable Lorentz pump, and 12 powerful solar panels, to make sure there will always be enough for every one!.. The community are very excited about the prospects of sharing with the Grevy Zebras, and are building a special trough for this!!
On the 20th-23rd Feb. the Bergum family and representatives from VOSS foundation will be walking to Masikita to celebrate with the people, and hand over the WATER…

The old and the new!! A nice little group of young camels, grazing near the solar panels, in the evening light..

So what goes into these water projects, just a few photos of putting the whole thing together.. All the supplies are brought up from Nairobi in a 10 ton lorry, which in itself is an exciting 2 day journey.. Then the work starts!

Digging the trench and laying the pipe is done mainly by the community.. this time its about 2.50 kms

The women came to dig the trench because the men are busy looking after their stock.. The threat of Cattle thieves is very real at the moment and nobody can afford to rest.. The word relax does not exist in this part of the world!.. As usual the trench digging is done with plenty of good spirit..

The lovely lady in blue, right of the child came to shake my hand with great vigour, as four months ago she was blind!.. Thanks to the eye mission in South Horr she now can dig the trench.. She is a very very happy lady!!

Next is the Solar panels.. From setting out the Solar array and welding the stand together,

and finally making sure that the solar panels are not steal able! I’m afraid even out here its a big problem..

At the bore hole, taking the old diesel pump out,

and gently putting the solar pump in..

Now to sorting out the control boxes, and the wiring.. much concentration, and don’t need any mistakes! theres alot of power coming from those solar panels!

Drilling holes to bolt the Control boxes, and again to make sure every thing is unstealable!

Which wires goes where!!..

Discussing the situation..

Finally when the solar panels were connected, the water came pouring out of the bore hole and its 5 pm!

First person to take a drink, and excitement all round!

Making a sturdy base for the two 10000 litre tanks above the centre on the hill..

finally last but not least the grevys trough going in out side the centre,

life’s full of strains and struggles and the mother of this child came to ask for help.. Has any one ever seen any thing like this before, any one know what it is.. or where we can turn to for help this unfortunate family..

the latest Milgis orphan!! Its literally 1 and half inches long, but strong and full of the joys of life!! Its a northern Crombec.. He/she may be small but such a character!!

Sarah… THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!! Below is her letter to her friends and acquaintances.. We are ABSOLUTELY delighted that this is for our Elephants!! We wish Sarah all the very best, and we know shes going to beat all records because its for the best cause in the book!! GO>>>> SARAH!!!

Dear Friends,

I have long had this crazy dream of skiing Vasaloppet, so finally I registered to compete on February 25th . The Vasa race is an annual long distance (90km/56 miles) cross-country ski race between the village of Slen and Mora (imagine London to Brighton). It is the oldest, the longest, and the biggest (in terms of participants) cross-country ski race in the world. The race was inspired by Swedish King Gustav Vasa in 1520 when he was escaping the troops of Christian II (Christian the Tyrant).

I’m not sure I’m going to make it to the finish line, and even if I do, I sincerely doubt I’ll be able to match Pippa Middleton’s impressive time of 7hr 13mins despite my father wishing the contrary.. Out of the 15,800 racers only about 10% are women, I believe this is because it is ridiculously difficult – as you can see in this brilliant clip from last years race:Â Vasaloppet 2011 Aj AJ Oj OJ.mov

If you want to place a bet on me making it to the finish line then I would really love to be able to share this with a cause very close to my heart, The Milgis Trust and Elephant conservation. Please help me to lend a small contribution by donating to the paypal account for the The Milgis Trust

Milgis Trust website http://www.milgistrustkenya.com

The Milgis Trust is based in Northern Kenya and works to conserve the wildlife, habitat and pastoral ways of life in the remote and beautiful Milgis area, which covers 8,000 sq km around the Milgis River. It really is the most remarkable organisation. Managing on a small budget it does so much, supporting the community through health, education and clean water projects, and protecting the diverse but fragile Milgis eco-system, including fighting the escalating battle against wildlife poaching through its network of Milgis Trust scouts. It is working well but they can’t do it without the funds, so this very, very important, and they appreciate this so much!

£75 provides food provisions for the Milgis Trust primary school for one week, £100 pays for the essential wildlife scouts meeting, which happens every two months £220 pays wages for the Milgis Trust Medical Clinic nurse for one month £5,000 pays for an operation with a wildlife vet to dart and treat an elephant wounded by poachers.

Elephant conservation

The Elephants in Africa are being decimated once more after about 20 years of slight respite, and the saddest thing is that the world will realise this when it’s too late! The Milgis Trust is doing every thing possible to keep them safe. Working together with their local communities around the Milgis Lugga things are going pretty well, but they cannot rest one day because poachers are out there. They employ 30 scouts, who are uniformed and are in contact on the radio 24 hrs, their job it is to keep watch and deal with any threats to the Elephants (and of course all wildlife), and their habitat all the time. They also employ over 30 ‘ilkirimats’ the Samburu word for caretaker/informer who get half a wage but work closely with their respective scouts to keep watch. , xo Sarah

This is the Elephant we call mammoth.. He is/was the gentlest coolest ‘Sangalai’ I’ve ever known.. He is/was huge.. I say this because he has a beautiful pair of tusks and he may not be with us any more.. We think that he must be a descendant of the famous Marsabit ‘Ahmed’ because of the shape of his tusks.. I think of him every day, and hope to ‘Ngai’ that he is still with us, and he will pitch up one day as he has done before.. Although we have not had any trouble since January last year, except in the Matthews of which we have our suspicions, there are no fences or barriers and he may have wondered off into an area where the poaching is rife.. [ this wonderfully eerie picture was taken in August 2011 on the night camera.. He visited our camp while out on safari..] .. His absence/silence is killing me!… But we are always positive, and I think he will pitch up on the 25th of February!! .. We have a warrior who wants to devote his life to the safety of this Elephant and all the Sangalais, and some of the money that Sarah raises will go to wards his wages..

‘Rogero’ as he is fondly known by the Samburu.. [ Its actually Mammoths real name ], would be a very happy man if he did pitch up..

This below is what I wrote to Sarah when she told she was going to do the longest, hardest endurance Skiing race in the World for the Elephants!!

Sarah, You are an absolute star and I am and our special friends the Elephants will be eternally grateful for any bit of help.. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!! We will be thinking of you, and sending serious vibes over the airways, from the Elephants as well!, for you to beat Pippa’s record, as we also believe you will do it!!

You might think I am joking, but Elephants are not fools!! two times that i know of where they have really proved that they do know whats going on!..

Pete did a walk for them, 65 kms in October 2011, its on my 3 blogs written in Oct 2011… Petes mega walk in 1 day for the elephants and lions… Wow!! you are all stars, and the last one… the Elephant whisperer made it!.. please try to look up the last one especially how the 3 Elephants waited for Pete to arrive, and they greeted him!!

Also theres this incredible story in South Africa of a man who rescued a group of Elephants that were going to be shot, and many years later he died, and the Elephants arrived at his home to pay their last respects.. If I can find the story I will send you the link!.. He wrote a book called ‘The Elephant whisperer’.. its really lovely!!

Keep up the spirit Sarah, WE ARE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!! All the best Helen

SARAH.. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

AND SO MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS…

Full moon in the Milgis… The planet below the lower cloud is Jupiter!

Well our good news is that all our dams are full!, after a wonderful after thought of ‘Ngai’, who sent an unbelievably perfect day of rain to Samburuland, 4 days ago and filled all their Dams!! What a perfect Christmas present this year!!!..

This means there will plenty more of happy mums like this one below!!

Desert Warthog with her youngsters…

This is the Caracal’s new friend!…. Her name is ‘Three legs’ or ‘Ngajek uni’ in maa..

The Caracal kitten, will eventually be freed at Elkanto, the Milgis base, where it has a very good chance of a good life, and with lots of other Caracal’s around, and lots to eat.. It is doing very well, and is becoming a very close friend of this poor little puppy that was found almost dead in a ditch, dragging herself along with her front legs, one of her back legs was very infected… She is now back on four legs you’ll be happy to hear!! talk about a surviver!!.

FINALLY MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE!!! I’ve been talking about it for sooooo many years, 25 years actually!, ever since I first heard their voices, and now we have it!.. A beautiful recording of songs, chants and sounds from the Samburu!..

The front cover fittingly in the colours of the Kenya Flag!!

*You can’t buy this. This is not for sale. This is more of a gift from the soul of Samburuland, than just another CD.

This CD is absolutely beautifully presented and is a wonderful selection of Northern Kenya’s every day, sounds, songs and flute music from the Samburu people in the Milgis Ecosystem… ..

THANKYOU GAVIN HOGG AND BEN EVANS and every one else involved in making this masterpiece of music!!… Especially the Samburu people for believing in us! In believing in the ‘Milgis’ and producing such special sounds!! Its ‘brilliant’ to have your full support!..

* BUT, YOU can be a part of it. You NEED to be a part of it…. Because when you play this music as loud as you can, and you do it in a place where you can really listen….. JUST LISTEN…. You will feel the warm wind of the northern Kenyan mountains against your skin, the sand of her luggas pressed down under your feet and you will start to move and sway until your spirit jumps with the Morans on the river bed. This is music that transports you and it speaks of the beauty, the trail, the tradition and the majesty of life, the way it has always been here. It will haunt you back to life. *words from Zeke Davidson when he first heard it!

How it started!…. This is how Gavin describes the moment..

‘The first morning while we were drinking tea on the lugga, wondering how it would start. When from somewhere deep in the bush and down the lugga, we heard the distant chants of an approaching band of people.. Slowly it grew louder and louder, the sound growing in intensity and excitement, until fianlly 25 warriors appeared through the scrub in full tribal dress with spears and full voice.. They had come to sing.. The excitement of that moment will remain with me for the rest of my life!’

This was the start of what developed into an incredible week for all who were involved..

*You can’t pay for it though. Putting a dollar value on a disc would render it worthless. It simply won’t make the marketing values needed on a disc by disc basis. We need you to make a gesture that speaks to the same profound sense of place and spirit that the sounds on this disc will bring into your life. For a donation upwards of $200, the Samburu communities of this region, will gladly share their ancient chants with you!

*If you believe in wild places, in places with untameable spirits that defy all of the harsh realities of today’s over used world. You want to be a part of a community making their own ways work, unquestioningly. Support Echoes in Samburuland, make these voices heard where you are, and we will send you one of these disc’s to transport you here whenever you can be with us.

BEN EVANS..

A beautiful trio in looks and sounds!

‘Ldoilo’ means Echoes in the Maa language… An appropriate title given the location of the recording,- a natural ravine, with towering cliff faces that gave a wonderful resonance and echo to the recordings.. It is also has significance in a way that we hope the message of the Samburu and their way of life and custodianship of their environment, will echo from their homeland to spread awareness around the world…

The songs from this area have never been recorded properly before .. We recorded every thing live on location . You will hear the sounds of wildlife in the bush included… We want you the listener, to be transported into the Milgis: to feel the heat, the elements of life, to smell the aroma, and to listen to the sound and songs of the samburu… Close your eyes, be at peace, sit back and TAKE TIME to absorb this extraordinary aural experience!!!

these are the words of Gavin taken from the cover…

Warm up the first evening!! ‘MPARINKOI’

Mparinkoi; This is the first song sung in any daytime ceremony.. The group will consist of singers from different clans. The chants are from different clan members boasting about the achievements of heir own clan, how brave or fast they are.. The clans sing of respect and rivalry between them selves… One day many years ago, I was at a Samburu wedding.. It was just unbelievably colourful and the early morning singing was incredible, but at about midday there seemed to be abit of a lull in the proceedings, so I decided to climb up a small hill and watch from a distance for a while.. Suddenly I heard this roar of voices, which sent a shiver up my spine… It was the elders and Junior elders at the ceremony ‘tuning up’ for this extraordinary show!.. Its abit like an orchestra tuning up their instruments before they play a symphony!.. But this is voices.. Every man throws his voice as far as he can, so that when it comes to this amazing ‘Mparinkoi’ his voice will be heard!… Its REALLY impressive!.. We had to do this recording several times as when they whole group landed on the ground in tandem, Ben’s microphone went crazy!! We worked it out eventually by putting a mattress under the microphones to cushion the vibrations!!

Men, women and children came from far and wide to participate with immense pride and dedication to perform their songs

This beautiful animal is the Milgis’ latest orphan… he needs to be fed!…….

So PLEASE… become one of the esteemed members of the ‘Ldoilo’ clan, and contribute to the Milgis Trust… We have been kindly given a stand at the Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi.. At the Christmas fair on the 1st and 2nd of December 2012… We will be there with the LDOILO CDs!! If you can’t be there you can press the donate button on this page, pay your donation, and you will recieve a reciept from NWHS/Milgis Trust, which you can forward to us, with your postal address…. We will in turn get this unique CD to you!!.. Other wise don’t hesitate to contact Helen or Gavin..