Humphrey Nicodemus Makusa © 2025 ISBN 9789987552795
This paperback edition was published in January 2025. Copyright © 2025 by Humphrey Nicodemus Makusa The moral right of the author has been asserted. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodies in critical articles or reviews. This book is a fiction work. Names, characters, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, leaving or dead, events is entirely coincidental, except for the locales which are purposely used to appreciate the national beauty and cultural heritage. Published by: Mzumbe Book Project P.O. Box 113 Mzumbe.
"Can We Hold On?" begins with the story of Laizer and his family, gradually linking readers to the experiences of three generations of Maasai men as they confront the challenges of preserving their cultural identity in an ever-evolving world. The narrative opens with Laizer’s father, Oldonyo Ole Lengai, a respected Maasai elder and warrior who has spent his life balancing the weight of Maasai traditions with the inevitable pressures of modernity. Oldonyo serves as a bridge between the old and the new, having grown up under the guidance of his father, Ngareloo Ole Lengai, who led their family through one of the most difficult periods in Maasai history: colonialism and the dispossession of their land. During Ngareloo's time, Maasai lands were seized and partitioned by colonial rulers, forcing the Maasai people to migrate southward from the fertile plains of Maasai Mara in Kenya to Northern Tanzania. This migration was not just a journey for survival, but also a symbol of the Maasai’s enduring fight to preserve their way of life. Ngareloo’s leadership and resilience ensured that their people remained united, passing on these values to his son Oldonyo. As Oldonyo matured, he encountered new challenges beyond those of his father’s era. With Tanzanian independence came the expanding influence of globalization. Like Ngareloo, Oldonyo remained committed to preserving the Maasai heritage; guiding ii | P a g e
that his sons, especially his youngest, Laizer, would continue to uphold their customs. However, Oldonyo also recognized the growing pressures of education and modernity on his children, particularly Laizer. Laizer, the story’s protagonist, comes of age in a time when globalization has an even firmer grip on Maasai life. He is deeply inquisitive, questioning not just the world outside his community, but also some of the very traditions that define Maasai identity. Unlike his father, he is not content to simply follow the old ways. This tension becomes evident during his initiation into manhood, a pivotal ritual in Maasai culture. He challenges the use of shared tools during his circumcision, fearing the risk of infection. His insistence on using new tools sparks conflict with Oldonyo, who initially tries to persuade his son to follow the tradition as it has always been done. Ultimately, Oldonyo, torn between his respect for Maasai customs and his love for his son, concedes to Laizer’s concerns. He buys new tools, allowing him to complete the ritual in a way that aligns with his values. This moment marks a significant generational shift, with Laizer embodying a new era of Maasai youth, those who respect their heritage yet see the necessity for certain changes in the face of modern challenges. As Laizer grows older, his curiosity about the world beyond the Maasai lands deepens. The stories of his father and grandfather reveal a legacy of migration iii | P a g e
the search for new pastures, and now by the unstoppable force of globalization. Laizer wonders whether the nomadic way of life that has defined his people for centuries can continue in a world that is becoming smaller and more interconnected. He dreams of exploring cities and understanding the modern world, but his deep loyalty to the traditions that shaped him creates an internal struggle. Through the intertwined lives of Laizer, Oldonyo, and Ngareloo, "Can We Hold On?" takes readers on a journey through three generations of Maasai life. Each generation faces its own set of challenges, but at the heart of the novel lies a singular question: Can the Maasai, with their strong connection to the land and rich cultural heritage, survive the pressures of modernity and globalization? Or will they be forced to change in ways that risk erasing the essence of who they are? iv | P a g e
OLDONYO’S LINEAGE: A TALE OF FAMILY AND TRADITION “It is said that only the bravest can find the hidden treasure". In a land shrouded in the mysteries of ancient tradition and the whispers of the supernatural, there lived a young Maasai boy named Laizer. His world was a fusion of tradition and the encroaching winds of change brought by the phenomenon known as globalization. In the heart of Laizer's village, where the sun painted the sky with hues of amber and gold, a daily ritual unfolded. The first light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the walls, gently nudging Laizer from his slumber. He lay nestled beneath his blanket, cocooned in the warmth of his bed. The familiar sound of his
reminder of the tasks that awaited him. "Wake up, Laizer! You're going to be late, the sun is already high, and the cattle need to graze", A gentle voice called out, breaking through the stillness of the morning. His mother voice a soft melody that danced around the room, Laizer stirred from his slumber, the warmth of his bed beckoning him to stay a little longer. Rubbing his eyes, with a soft murmur he turned away from the sound, still lost in the coziness of his bed as if trying to hold onto the remnants of his dreams. "Laizer, dear, time to rise", his mother persisted, gently nudging him. Though Laizer could hear his mother's voice urging him to wake up, he couldn't resist the temptation of a few more moments of sleep. With a content sigh, he clung to the warmth of his blanket, ignoring his mother's pleas. It wasn't until his mother pulled the covers off him that he reluctantly stirred, knowing it was time to take the cattle out to pasture. With a stretch and a yawn, Laizer Ole Lengai finally got out of bed blinking in the soft morning light. The morning sunlight peeking through the cracks in the walls reminded him that it was later than usual. Normally, he'd have taken the cattle out much earlier, before the sun rose high in the sky. “Asiyekwenda shule, ni mjinga kabisa, Hata barua ikija, 2|Page
Aitembeza kutwa, Ni mjinga kabisa” x 3 Deep down, Laizer longed to go to school, tired of herding animals and yearning for the chance to learn. But he knew convincing his father would be difficult. He was tired of wandering around the wilderness with animals, yelling and talking to them as if they were human beings. He was tired of listening to sounds of rapid flow of water in the river bands and whistles produced by the blowing winds over thick and long trees in the forestry, tired of constantly being threatened by dangerous beasts such as lions, and snakes laced with poison. He was tired of the constant dangers lurking in the wilderness and tired of the monotonous routine. As the day wore on, he was standing next to a large tree, deep in thought on how to approach his father, then dark clouds gathered on the horizon, heralding the arrival of an afternoon storm. Laizer took shelter from a sudden downpour beneath a rocky outcrop, he watched as the heavens opened, the rain falling in torrents upon the parched earth. In that moment of solitude, he got lost in thought, drifting off to sleep and dreaming of a life beyond the fields and the herds, where he could go to school and play with other children. But as the storm passed and reality reclaimed its hold, Laizer knew that it was just a dream, and his dreams 3|Page
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