Peace in the Desert, the celebration of a 40 year peace accord

Thursday was a commemoration ceremony for an accord reached between the Turkana of Kenya and the Matheniko of Karamoja along the border. 40 years ago the raiding was extreme and their was a lot of bloodshed. The agreement was completely homegrown- none of us outsiders intervening (which is an interesting aspect when considering how long the peace has lasted!) It was an hour+ ride to Kenya and I joined the Stepping Stones team as they participated with DDG/DRC and Riamriam, a Moroto group. After a pretty (but very windy road) drive through the mountains-where the mining happens--we arrived in the middle of the desert. Didn't realize what we were in for, but the outfits and dancing made up for all the hassle ten-fold!

Francis poses by the historic monument. Apparently what makes the peace long lasting is the fact that the two sides buried symbolic things such as honey pot and spears, but also guns. According to our researcher, other local agreements fell apart when later on people dug up the arms! Once that happens, the agreement is null and void. Nice work cement!

Moroto DDG/DRC guys in their traditional garb pose

Stepping Stones guys, DDG/DRC

Gloria, Stepping Stones and Emma pose by the sign

Soooo we were wowed at the water point. Yes folks, that is a hole in the middle of the "river"bed which they dig and then the water sifts upwards. Can you even imagine? There are no boreholes. This is it kiddos.

Kids giving us water :)

Rocking a traditional hairstyle

Riverbed

As we walked along Francis exclaimed, Ah we are on their soccer pitch! SERIOUSLY? So, we had to have a pretend soccer shot

The soccer pitch

Main attraction, the traditional dancers from Turkana. Hats for men are made from ostrich feathers

Women are wearing beads as high up the neck as possible and the skirts are animal hide. They've smeared themselves with red soil mixture

Yeah, I am living in a National Geographic world

Check out the bells around the knees. Struck me as similar to the US Native Americans

The boy in the tent sitting next to me. 

Posing before the VIP delegates arrived (2-3 hours late of course) There are no words for how hot the tent was. I had to get out!

 Reformed warriors of Karamoja steal the show

School kids get in on the fun

Kid displays her handmade school hat:)

Hats for sale in the desert!