Grass Wars !!

I received a text message one evening asking if I had heard of a "war between the Waarusha and Kisongo Maasai (two clans)" in a certain area of Tanzania.

I called some Maasai friends who confirmed that there had been a "war -- fighting" among these two clans in one of the Maasai areas.  The huge fight culminated at a small town -- Oldonyo Sambu -- on market day, when most of the people in the area are there.  First reports indicated that 40+ people were sent to hospitals in and near Arusha due to injuries.  The police and other officials were called in to quell this situation.

The whole reason for this altercation -- grass -- or the lack thereof.

The two clans were fighting over grazing areas for their animals.
Due to the lack of normal rains in 2012, the grazing areas have become prized possessions since there is not enough grass for everyone.
Even the traditional grazing areas are dry and many are travelling great distances just to feed and water their livestock.

So, tempers are short and spears, maasai swords,  and rungus are long as many vie for the survival of their animals and families.

You do not want to be around when these spears fly and the swords and rungus are being used to their fullest deadly potential.

When was the last time you fought with your neighbor over grass?