Pete with children at a village boma. As you can see, many of the girls at ages as young as 5 or 6 become responsible for taking care of younger siblings, whom are slung on their backs by using kangas, or skirt-like wraps

In a day-long event, called Imbutoto Olaigwanani, which is to choose an age group leader among the Maasai, hundreds of warriors, elders, women and children gather at a boma to celebrate the new leader. Here, about 250 guests are walking en route to the boma, carrying locally-brewed beer in jugs and crates of soda. Warriors have been preparing for the day all morning by covering their faces and hair with red ocre (dyed animal fat, performing traditional songs and dancing.

Ashley with friend Seuri. Ashley got "decked out" for the day in traditional Maasai clothing.

Before entering the boma to join another 200 warriors, about 100 morani line up to make a distinguished entrance

Morani leading the group gift, a young calf, to the boma. Usually, when you visit someone's home, you bring a small gift like sugar or tea. However, because the boma was hosting such a large celebration that day, a larger gift was brought. The morani on the right is blowing out of a horn made out of a bushbuck horn.

Ashley and morani friends

Friend Grosper (L) leading a Maasai line dance. Men form 2 long lines, the leaders holding spears with women flanking and dancing on the outside

Haley and Ashley with friend, Grosper

Traditional Maasai dance. Men sing in unison with a vocal leader in an inner circle with the women dancing on the outside of the circle, also moving in unison

Children playing with Ashley's hair. Since white people are still somewhat of an attraction to young ones in this area, being off the tourist trail, it is not uncommon for them to want to touch hair they've rarely seen. We've both experienced walking through the village with women coming up to us and asking to touch our hair....

View from the bungalows at Kendwa Rocks resort on Zanzibar Island off the coast of Tanzania. Ashley was able to spend 4 days here with friends Penny and Marit. Many resorts here have been booked solid for months as more couples and families are vacationing here as opposed to beaches in East Asia due to devestation by the tsunami last December

Pete and Grosper enjoying a day at Kipepeo Beach, south of Dar es Salaam

Two grooms and brides on their wedding day. The men are wearing cowhides that have been prepared and decorated by their mothers. The women are adorned with traditional Maasai beadery, along with many pieces of jewelry that have been passed down from grandmother, to mother and today, to her, such as the headpieces and long beaded work draping down the font of the body.

The students perform a song and dance (in English) for the village guests, elders and parents on Open Day, June 10th