Africa-Press – Kenya. Born and raised in the Savanna grasslands of Kenya, Saloton Ole Ntutu is a Maasai Community Chief, warrior and a self-styled cultural ambassador of Maasai community culture.
The 67-year-old chief’s efforts have not gone unnoticed as the Sacred Fire Foundation based in the US awarded him for his passion to protect Maasai Culture.
Ole Ntoto, who is also the patron of the Maji Moto Cultural Camp was conferred with the “Wisdom Treasure Award” over the weekend in Berkeley, US at the David Bower Centre.
According to the Sacred Fire Foundation which was founded 10 years ago, Ole Ntutu is the 10th annual winner of the prize. He is also the first African to clinch the award.
He has traversed different parts of the globe showcasing the much-adored Maasai culture which has paid off.
“He champions self-sustaining initiatives in the areas of employment, water, women’s rights, education, conservation, and tourism through organizations he has co-founded,” the foundation attributed.
Ole Ntutu founded a Community Based Organisation(CBO) called the Enkitenglepa. This CBO aims at protecting cultural values, ceremonies, and traditions while working to eliminate harmful practices such as female circumcision and early marriage.
The Maji Moto Cultural Camp proceeds are remitted to fund progressive projects and to promote value for his communities’ traditions.
“A lifelong dream for Salaton is to demonstrate that people can thrive by simultaneously preserving traditions and respecting the natural world, and while doing so, can increase awareness of the criticality of indigenous wisdom for all humankind,” Read a biography from Sacred fire foundation.
Growing up in the wild with nothing but a spear and a blanket, Saloton developed the survival skills he was taught as a young boy.
“Recognized by his fellow warriors as a gifted shaman and leader, he was often asked to travel with others to protect them. He has faced wild animals in defense, at times forced to kill lions, leopards and buffalo with just knives and spears”. Quotes the Maji Moto cultural Club.
His community chose him as their cultural chief for his courage and bravery. He is a key partner and advisor to Non-Profit Organisations that support the Narok region, where he comes from.
