AfricaPress-Tanzania: MAASAI pastoralists have expressed concern that their lack of knowledge in Kiswahili language could negatively affect them in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
They say that all instructions and guidelines are issued in Kiswahili and they are not able to understand them, hence they feel they are no longer safe.
Maasai elders have now come up and try to raise awareness among their communities, going from household to another, but have expressed concern that they are short of requisite resources.
Speaking at a session organised for that purpose, traditional leaders told government officials that despite the cautions given to the Maasai community, specifically the pastoralists, they have to be more engaged and given education on the issue, otherwise the Covid-19 would affect them very much.
One of the elders, Mr Christopher Mollel, said the majority of the members of the community heard of the deadly virus, but were of the view that it was in Europe, Asia and America, but not in Africa. He said the view had led to many of the members not to take enough care and stay safe.
“I for one and few of others know this coronavirus pandemic, but the majority of our members take it as a story of what is happening abroad– Asia, Europe and America.
They think that it has not and cannot affect us. This is dangerous. So, we ask the government to take action in raising awareness among our people,” said Mr Mollel.
He noted that the majority of Maasai community members were uneducated so it was even difficult to know the virus and its effects, so much had to be done to ensure the disease did not destabilise them.
Mr Merami Karanji, another leader, said it was high time the Maasai tried to emulate social distancing practice that had been proposed by leaders to avoid contracting the disease.
Kiteto Police Chief, Patrick Kimario called on the Maasai to accept that the virus was real and killed and so they must take action to protect themselves against it.
“Let us take necessary steps to protect ourselves and stay safe. We should not say that God has decided to bring the virus because God created us and all that what he did is good. Let us ask ourselves what we have done to stay safe and not otherwise,” said the police officer.
