"Naretoi" Film Screening at Sebastopol Library

Wed, January 8, 2020, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

NARETOI

Which means “women helping women” in Maasai – follows a group of Maasai and American women on a unique self supported expedition to the summit of Mt. Kenya, 16,355 ft.

The Maasai tribe still live as pastoralists in a deeply traditional, patriarchal, and polygamous culture. Most Maasai women have never left their “boma” or village and few make any decisions without male permission – their focus is on survival. Doing anything solely for themselves is an intangible luxury not afforded to women in Maasai culture, especially something like climbing a mountain without any involvement or assistance by men.

This mountaineering expedition is unique in how the women overcome cultural and language barriers to collectively conquer a large mountain. The mountain symbolizes the challenges that we all face as women fighting an uphill battle to gain equality in our lives. This experience is an opportunity to empower each other and focus on self introspection and discovery.

The broader intent of this short documentary film is to raise awareness and funds for Maasai girls to complete the mountaineering expedition, which is closely related to them obtaining sponsorship to go to school. Education is key to giving women a voice to make choices that could determine whether or not they are circumcised and if they have a say in whom they marry – choices we often take for granted.

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Sebastopol Regional Library

7140 Bodega Avenue - Sebastopol