Salaton Ole Ntutu, Massai Warrior, Chief and Healer
Brief Biography, January 14, 2012
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Born and raised in the heart of the African Savanna, Salaton Ole Ntutu is a renowned warrior, community chief, and shaman of the nomadic Maasai tribe in Kenya. As has been practiced by the Maasai for generations, Salaton left his family at age 14 to begin his “warriorship” where he survived in the wild African bush for seven years. Living amongst the wild animals with little more than his blanket and spear, Salaton developed the survival skills he was taught as a young boy herding his family’s goats and cows on the plains. Survival in the bush requires a knowledge and attunement with nature that has become virtually forgotten in the modern western world. Salaton was also chosen as a child to receive the spiritual knowledge of his ancestors, including his mother, a renowned medicine woman, midwife and shamanic healer. He is blessed with spiritual and energetic gifts, endowing him with strong connections to other people and nature for communication and healing. Recognized by his fellow warriors as a gifted shaman and leader, he was often asked to travel with others to protect them. He faced wild animals in defense, at times forced to kill lions, leopards and buffalo with just knives and spears.
Today, Salaton is recognized for his courage and wisdom, and is a community chief in Maji Moto, just outside the Maasai Mara. Salaton’s passion in life is to preserve his culture and environment for today and future generations. He travels the world to exchange knowledge and wisdom about nature and wildlife, culture, spiritual beliefs, and healing practices. This fuels his energies as a leader on social and economic issues pertaining to his tribe, helping his community navigate the challenges of retaining their culture and protecting nature in the face of threats to their traditional lifestyle and environment.
Salaton champions education, health and sanitation projects, and is establishing a heritage and botanical conservancy to protect culture, land, wildlife, and native holy and healing plants. Through his tremendous knowledge of African wildlife, Salaton has contributed significantly to Kenya’s tourist industry as a way to develop self-sustaining communities. He is a key partner for international nonprofit organizations that support the Narok region, including Asante Africa Foundation, working to build safe learning environments and provide scholarships for children who would not otherwise have access to school; and Jamii Moja with whom he champions education, health, sanitation, and land conservation projects for a self-sustaining community. He is also leading culture change in harmful practices, such as eliminating the common, but illegal, practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), by building a rescue shelter and obtaining boarding school scholarships for girls’ protection, and promoting the idea of alternative rites of passage. He provides a home on his land in Maji Moto for rescued girls, widows, and women with AIDS.
To schedule a private session or an event with Salaton during his US visit from February 1-26, 2012 or to be on the mailing list for public engagements as they are scheduled, contact Susan Olofson, his US business partner at susanolofson@gmail.com; 925-518-3686. For more information on Salaton, his community, and tourism work, visit www.majimoto.org, and www.susanolofson.com/who.htm#salaton