Tribe member explains how life has changed since they got mobile phones

A member of a remote tribe has opened up about how mobile phones have changed their lives.

Kanaya, the son of a chief from the Maasai tribe in Tanzania, fielded questions in a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA), of all places.

He's taking part in a social media project, whereby the 'Maasaiboys' hope to 'share our lives and connect with people from around the world'.

Unsurprisingly, in a Reddit AMA with a tribesman, people were curious to know to what extent the tribe is adapting to the modern world.

Reddit/@maasaiboys

In response, Kanaya wrote: "We have mobile phones so we can communicate better. We have Instagram and connect with cool people from all over the world. We can have solar so have light at night.

"A lot of improvements in life but I also worry for the future that our tribe and the culture slowly get lost. Many Maasai now go to the city for work and slowly slowly loose Maasai values for western, money can also cause a lot of problems.

"Let's hope we can be good example using technology and social media in a good way for the tribe, and for the world."

In a follow-up question, a Reddit user asked how the culture could be protected while incorporating modern technology, to which Kanaya replied: "If we use mobile phone to talk, solar to have light in dark end electricity, motorcycle for transport, it don't change our cultures much. It just makes easier for our lives.

"But when people move to cities to work, and only start care for money and themselves then it starts to get very bad."

He added that, through social media, the tribe was learning 'new things from other cultures'. For example, they recently tried pizza for the first time - and naturally, they now want more.

That said, their usual menu contains a few items you wouldn't be likely to see down Papa John's.

Asked how their daily diet has changed over the years, Kanaya said: "It changed a little, before it was a lot more meat.

"Now we also eat more grains and ugali [maize porridge]. We still love meat and also eat some parts raw, we also drink cow blood and milk still."

As for the upbringing of children, it seems that is largely unchanged.

Asked whether children's play is inspired by traditional aspects of tribe life or Western entertainment, he responded: "A lot more the traditional, we don't have TV here so they don't know these things."

And asked what exactly his goal was with this project, Kanaya replied, wholesomely: "I want to make the world a happier place, and spread smiles."

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