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The Dreams of Mama Jane

There are always people who find a way into your heart and Elizabeth Napolos Parinka or Mama Jane as we fondly call her, found her place in Alison’s right from the start
Above: From dreams to reality, Mama Jane stands on the hill looking over the Mara below
Above: From dreams to reality, Mama Jane stands on the hill looking over the Mara below

Somehow between my four words of Maa and her four words of English, a whole lot of facial expression and charades, Mama Jane and I always manage to communicate, often ending up in fits of laughter in the process. In-between photoshoots and installing new projects, I make sure to find time to visit her and the mamas in the Beading Studio, sitting with them to reconnect and perhaps even learn some new songs.

The beautiful Maasai women join the warriors in the Boma evening dances
The beautiful Maasai women join the warriors in the Boma evening dances

In recent years, the Maasai women have joined the warriors at Angama Mara’s Sundowner Boma and it's always a joy to watch as Mama Jane loses herself in song and chanting. It never occurred to me that there would be so much more to this story.
 
On a visit to the lodge earlier this year, I heard murmurings about Mama Jane having a story to tell. I asked her if she would share it with me and I feel extremely honoured that she agreed. Here are some precious stories about her life and its entanglement with Angama Mara, as she has lived in the area all her life.

Walking along the dream-like Out of Africa hill
Walking along the dream-like Out of Africa hill
Mama Jane knows this land well, in and out of consciousness
Mama Jane knows this land well, in and out of consciousness

Many years ago, when worshipping one day, Mama Jane had a vision of dancing and singing with warriors to a song that she didn’t know at the time, with people who she didn’t know either, but today she knows both well, as these are the songs she sings most evenings with the warriors at the Boma. She also had a vision of herself singing and walking up the hill the way we now do for weddings at Angama Mara. She remembers waking up feeling very happy from this dream.

Mama Jane stands guard in front of her beloved Chapel
Mama Jane stands guard in front of her beloved Chapel
The inside of the Chapel is an inviting place, all are welcome
The inside of the Chapel is an inviting place, all are welcome

After another session of worship and fasting, she had a vision of herself clearing the bushes where the Angama Chapel now sits. She saw that there was a lady helping her and a man walking towards them carrying spears and sticks. Together they called to the man and said: “Come and help us clear the area as we are building God’s temple”.
 
The man refused to help them and ran away. She told the lady with her that that man was actually the devil and they must chase him away. They started shouting and chasing him and he ran all the way down to the Mara. Then she awoke. Years later, when she saw the people building the chapel, she turned to the other mamas she was with and said: “That is exactly where I dreamt they would build a chapel.”

Built in memory of Steve Fitzgerald, the Chapel is a special place for all the Angama family
Built in memory of Steve Fitzgerald, the Chapel is a special place for all the Angama family

Mama Jane loves to worship there as she feels that it is God’s prophecy. All her dreams have come true and this fills her with a deep sense of happiness and gratitude.

Filed under: Inside Angama

Tagged with:

Angama Family , Beading Studio , Maasai Culture

About: Alison Mitchell

Ali was the mastermind behind 'the look' of Angama for many years, ensuring everything is up to Angama standard. In her spare time, she also manages three other special projects — a set of twins and their younger brother — on the beautiful Kenyan coast.

Browse all articles by Alison Mitchell Meet the angama team

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