COVID-19 spares no culture but is extremely hard on underserved populations. It is like the African lion, waiting for the next opportunity. The Maasai are already fighting to preserve their ancient culture, but with the introduction of COVID-19, they must now battle the rapid spread of this deadly virus. The actions we take now are critical to protecting the Maasai.
The Maasai have always relied on each other to solve problems. Currently they are confronting COVID-19 on top of other life challenging factors such as chronic poverty, inadequate health care, illiteracy, limited internet and a lack of running water. Now some Maasai are finding creative ways to cope and educate their community – including using music.
With your support, MCV will utilize music as a frontline response to support Maasai communities with a COVID-19 awareness and PPE campaign.
Why choose music as a vehicle for raising awareness on the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Maasai honor a verbal culture therefore music and radio continue to be the medium of choice for the marginalized Maasai communities. Music is an effective means of communication because it is popular in the Maasai community and the messages it conveys are easily remembered. Information from the Government’s health agency is either in Swahili or English – whereas not all Maasai people are versatile in these two languages. Music is more effective when used to convey messages in the Maasai native language to educate them on COVID-19, it can reach the illiterate and be life-saving.
Musa Nkonyoyo is a popular Maasai musician. He is crafting a powerful Maasai song to educate his community on preventive measures to protect his community from COVID-19 using the symbolism of a lion. The Maasai elders are using the lion as a metaphor to teach the community, stating that the lion is always there waiting to strike when least expected, much like COVID-19.
Hear a Sample of the Corona Lion Song
Meet Our Team
Musa Nkonyoyo
Maasai Musician
Well known Kenya singer and primary composer of the Corona Lion song, has released 3 albums.
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Morris Pleasure
Composer, Singer, Producer & Multi-Instrumentalist
World-renowned musician and producer for Ray Charles, Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, and more. Learn More…
Jimi Randolph
Audio Engineer
World-renowned musician and producer for Arianna Grande, Earth Wind and Fire, Justin Timberlake as well as TV productions.
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Michael James
Project Manager
My Chosen Vessels project manager that has been working alongside the Maasai for years.
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Jessica Censotti
MCV President / Founder
MCV founder that has been working with the Maasai for over a decade to document and safeguard Maasai culture and implement numerous community-driven humanitarian projects. Learn More…
Want to join us in making a difference?
The money raised will produce the song “CORONA-LION” and provide masks and other PPE to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The masks will use the Maasai shield symbolizing protection methods used by the Maasai against the lions.
Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to the Maasai.
Budget
Total $5,000
Additional funds raised will go to more airplay (Awareness) and village PPE (Protection).
