Maasai Activist Mali Ole Kaunga: Championing Land, Culture, and Climate Solutions
The importance of indigenous peoples’ practices and rights in northern Kenya
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Over the past several months, we’ve had the honor of deepening our relationship with Dahr Jamail, the Storytelling & Communications Manager for Home Planet Fund (who we interviewed last year). He introduced us to Maasai activist Mali Ole Kaunga, in Kenya, who’s a dedicated advocate for the land, culture, and rights of his people.
In our conversation with Mali, we spoke about the historical injustices faced by the Maasai, the vital role of pastoralism in environmental sustainability, and the complex challenges he navigates in search for solutions.
The Significance of “Mali”
His name has a particularly meaningful background. He explained that it has similarities to Swahili, but signifies 'wealth' in the Maasai context, eluding to abundance that goes beyond the material sense. As Mali put it, it implies 'strong guidance [and] leadership' – qualities that are central to his role as an activist. And it was given as 'a sign of hope' during a tough drought with the wish that he might 'bring something new' to help his community recover and find prosperity again.
Colonialism and Its Lasting Impact
Beyond the drought his people encountered, we also spoke about the enduring prominence of colonialism, with Mali detailing the forced removals of the Maasai from their ancestral lands by the British. These actions violently disrupted Maasai traditional life and community structures.
Mali recounted how the British colonial administration, through treaties in 1904 and 1911, created reserves for the Maasai, leading to the displacement of communities from their most valuable lands. This displacement was intended to make way for British settlement and commercial beef production. The Maasai people's resistance to these forced removals, and the subsequent loss of their livestock, marked the beginning of a fragmentation that weakened their collective strength and ability to defend themselves.
However, this history of oppression has also been met with resilience and legal challenges. Mali highlighted a significant legal victory where his organization successfully sued the British government for injuries caused by military training exercises on Maasai land, resulting in compensation for the victims. This legal win, among other efforts, has played a role in pushing the Kenyan government to address historical land injustices and enact more progressive land policies.
IMPACT: A Hub for Indigenous Advocacy
This vital work is spearheaded by organizations like OSILIGI (Organisation for the Survival of IL-Laikipiak Maasai Indigenous Group Initiatives), which Mali founded and which later evolved into IMPACT (Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation). IMPACT plays a crucial role in strengthening indigenous peoples’ social movements across northern Kenya. The scope of IMPACT's work is broad, encompassing both advocating for transformative policy changes at higher levels and empowering communities to defend their rights and sustainably manage their resources on the ground.
Pastoralism: Ecology and Economy
Our conversation also yielded valuable insights into the ecological wisdom embedded within Maasai traditions. Mali described the central role of land in Maasai life and identity, explaining, "The land is the heart and the cow is the soul." He further elaborated on how traditional Maasai nomadic practices actively contribute to the land's regeneration, the maintenance of ecological balance, and the support of biodiversity.
At the same time, he offered a critical perspective on the increasing trend of commodifying pastoralism through carbon projects. He warned that these initiatives, while often well-intentioned, can inadvertently disrupt delicate traditional systems and introduce new forms of exploitation, ultimately undermining the very sustainability they aim to achieve.
A Call for Justice and Hope
Despite the enormity of these challenges, Mali's perspective remains one of determined hope. "Human dignity and the right to life is not to be defined or given by government," Mali asserted, emphasizing the fundamental and inalienable nature of these rights. He continues to be a powerful voice, calling for greater global solidarity in the ongoing struggle to achieve justice, equity, and the enduring preservation of cultural heritage.
"Pastoralists are claiming the right to self-determination. We need the space to practice our rights and to be who we are according to our own cultural expressions and traditional economies. We stand for human dignity and the need to invest in social movements and traditional economies, because that's where the solution to climate change lies, with the people at the front line of climate change."
— Mali Ole Kaunga —
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