"Masai: The Rain Warriors"

2004

"From the creators of the acclaimed film Himalaya comes a universal tale of courage and friendship told through the eyes of ten young Masai warriors. When their village in southern Kenya is stricken by drought, the tribal elders send a group of adolescent boys to retrieve the mystical mane of Vitchoua, a legendary lion God. Eager to prove themselves as warriors and men, the boys embark on a hunt for the mighty beast that holds the key to their tribe's survival. Beautifully filmed against the backdrop of the sweeping Serengeti plains, this is a visually stunning and unexpectedly-moving coming-of-age drama."

From BigPond Movies - "Masai: The Rain Warriors"

***

I watched this DVD movie on the weekend.

An interesting story about the Maasai before European colonisation during a period of drought.

The village sends their most able warrior to kill a mauraudering lion and he is believed killed. They reason that only their "Red God" in the form of a lion could be so powerful. They come to the belief the Red God must be causing the drought as a punishment. The village sends a group of young new warriors to kill the god in lion form and end the god caused curse.

In the group is a variety of individuals with different personalities. They must form a team to do what is required.

Travelling through the savannah and then into the neighbouring Turkana tribe territory in search of the go in lion form, they face various challenges and hard ships.

A story of boys which must become men.

Interesting for a simple and brief insight into the Maasai culture.

In Maasai with English sub-titles. The movie is made by a French producer so obviously French sub-titles are also available.