A BRIT theatre worker has revealed how she moved to Kenya to be with a Maasai warrior - only to have a baby by his teenage son. They also make traditional jewellery to sell which again gives them an income. In an interview with Globstory, Stephanie said in as much as she had to learn about the Maasai culture, beliefs and traditions, her husband too had to learn her way of life in order to bring balance in their marriage. 'It really hurts me seeing mean comments but now I see other people with age gaps and it helps us to just ignore what people say. I had come to love the country - its beautiful wildlife and especially its people - so much. Rebekah recalled: 'When my friend came out, she gave me a knowing look, and now, looking back, that was the moment I started falling for him. To look at the Hassans you would think they are just like any other modern British family. In as much as this kind of love remains only possible in soap operas, the heartwarming story of Stephanie Fuchs and Sokoine will leave you believing that true love does exist. In order for a child to become an adult and gain respect they must complete the agonizing circumcision. But despite their happiness, Deborah said she has been asked by strangers if she has 'adopted' him, adding: 'Saitoty has been accused of only being with me for a green card which hurts because I know how little his desire is to live in America. Part of the proceeds go to initiatives such as making reusable sanitary kits for women in the area and supporting the tribe. Masai family values. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. She said the song was all about love and thats what we shared. They have a great life.'. Deborah, a retired police officer, said: 'I never expected to find a husband and marry someone so much younger than me but he is the kindest and most caring man. The couple realised that if they wanted to stay together, they would need to adapt to each others lifestyles. My last dress was borrowed from one of Jumas friends and had to be pulled in with a bow at the back because it was too big for me. But Christina and Juma are the most unlikely of couples their love surviving against all odds. In a hastily put-together wedding in February 2010, Christina, then 19, wore a borrowed wedding dress two sizes too big and friends and family had a whip-round for food and flowers. 20:08 GMT 05 Jun 2016. When he passed with flying colours, the couple applied for their spousal visa but were denied when the test certificate failed to come through on time. They are one of the most well-known African tribes, famous for their unique customs, traditions, and fierce and brave Maasai warriors. (Maasai men have multiple wives). The Maasai are a semi-nomadic tribe inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. Maasai (not Masai or Massai) is the correct spelling of this noble tribe: it means people speaking maa. We must run not kill the king of beasts to earn our manhood and to win our brides in future." According to the AP, Kenya's Lion population dropped. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. During this stage of his life, a Maasai man acts as a guardian for the village. The pair struck up a close bond but Deborah didn't see a romantic future due to their age difference. My husbands family made an exception for me, knowing and understanding that I come from a different culture and wanting to make me feel comfortable. Lawrence says he is now saving for flights to see his son but Rebekah isnt holding her breath. "I told him we couldnt be together. At around age 30, junior morans become senior warriors and re-integrate with the rest of the tribe. Masai And White Women: British Housewife Who Abandoned Her Family For A Penniless Masai Warrior By Faith McCoy | Submitted On February 12, 2007 To many the strange attraction that white European women feel for the primitive Masai tribe of Africa is an unexplained mystery. 'We talked for hours and found out we had so much in common like our sense of humour.'. Ms Fuchs concluded: "I love Tanzania, I love the Maasai and I believe their beautiful ancient culture is worthy of preservation.". "Anyone who doesnt believe in love at first sight should be inspired by our story. UK & World Love and romance Meet the woman who fell in love with a Maasai warrior twice her age and married him at just 16 Christina Miles and Kenyan-born Juma Hassan married against. It was not long after that they both knew they were made for each other and they made the decision to move in together in his traditional Maasai family home in Masai Steppe, northeastern Tanzania. I suppose it didn't help that I was basically his stepmum before we got together. says Christina, remembering the happy moment. ", Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. In the days and weeks that followed, Ms Fuchs tried to strike up small talk whenever she saw Sokoine. I believe in the collective good, a world with more love and happiness than hate. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. So why was being grilled about her books on Mastermind so Why should I be asked to tip when I shop online? "I was so hurt. Id love to live in Kenya again because I love the traditional way of life there. But once she returned she herself falling for the warrior's 19-year-old son Lawrence who is still at school making up for a few missed years through truancy. A photo from Hassan and his wife's sweet wedding. Theatre worker Rebekah OBrien ended up in a real life script more bizarre than anything on stage the night a troupe of performing Maasai warriors came to town. She stated that, she has so far received mixed reactions from people across the world since she decided to go public with her relationship. They didn't interview him, which was a bummer, because I . We are no longer accepting comments on this article. I am happier than I have ever been and I have come to love this beautiful tribe so much. Young Nairobi mother narrates journey from garbage collector to owning garbage trucks. Only time will tell what the future holds., Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. 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The married women do more work than their husbands and they respect them while not challenging them. Rebekah fell pregnant to him and had a girl named Arya back in Norwich in February 2015. It was strange, but I was just so happy to be with him and I realised then it wouldn't be a case of him having two wives, although I was happy to live like that. Spear in hand, they are calm and courageous regardless of the danger. We were so caught up in the moment. Although heartbroken and grieving, Rebekah craved Kenyan village life again and wanted to be back with Arya's family. Their bright red robes set them apart visually. 'The food is much healthier and less processed, just lots of fruit, veg and meat, and the weather is much better. Football-mad Prince of Wales shares his Princess Charlene takes Paris! Now the pair live together in their own mud house in Tanzania in a boma - a family compound - and had a Maasai wedding in June 2018, followed by a legal ceremony in July of this year. Read and watch similar theme:-"White Masai" (book and now DVD) , by Carinne Hofmann . I am glad to have you read me always. Their lives centre around their cattle, which are their primary source of food and an important measure of wealth and success. Beaming Princess of Wales watches a young boy backflip during St David's Day Lovely in lilac! They wear beaded necklaces, ornaments and capes ( shukas) made of cowhide. She said: 'My friends said I was mad to be running off with a Kenyan man, living in a tin hut with him and his first wife and five children. But before long, we were kissing. She says: I began to wonder if Id feel like I had two children instead of one when the baby arrived. I married a Maasai and moved to his boma (2020) A white western woman meets a member of the Maasai tribe and they fall in love . 'People say some horrible things like saying Saitoty is with me for a green card and that I'm like his grandma,' she said. We opened up to each other and about a week later we got together.. A new mother has revealed how after she moved to Kenya to marry a Maasai warrior she went on to have a baby with his teenage son - who remains in Africa, while she is back in Britain. The two bonded over a beach walk the next evening, but Deborah didn't see it going any further because of the age gap. The now-34-year-old German woman fell in love with her husband Sokoine during a research camp she had attended in Tanzania in 2011. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 'As a Western woman in Kenya people were suspicious of me, but Rempesa was so kind, buying me food and drinks and always had time for me and made me feel welcome and special.'. After having a Maasai wedding in June 2018 - a traditional ceremony - the couple had a legal wedding in July 2022. Pictured: Rebekah with her son Kito . You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. FREE shipping Add to Favorites Maasai - authentic African hand carved wooden sculpture, wood carving, ornament, tribal art - 83cm tall (ebony) Ad vertisement by . She said: For the work they [the women] do in helping me look after our guests, I pay them a wage and so give them the means to become financially independent of their husbands. The tribesmen are renowned for their height and fierce hunting culture. 'I was a happy, single woman and I didn't seem right to me to date someone 30 years younger,' she said. Her future husband, Sokoine, was adorned in red clothing and beautiful handmade jewellery. 10th Dec, 2016. Saitoty, a cattle farmer, said: 'First time I saw her I felt like I'd seen an angel. Then she began chatting to Rempesa on Skype and he told her again that he loved her and missed her and it was then that she realised she wanted to be with him. But tragedy soon struck. However, speaking at the time about her future as a mother, Rebekah revealed that she had lost the support of her family and was living with a Christian couple in Norwich while she tried to raise the money to go back to Kenya to live. I knew I did not want to live anywhere else. She says Joyce gave their union her reluctant blessing, despite the two women finding it difficult to share their warrior. Rachel Spencer For Mailonline Rebekah O'Brien moved to Kenya and married a Maasai warrior, but she has just had a baby with his son after they fell for each other. How to trick yourself slim: Top nutritionist reveals her tips including shrinking your cutlery, sniffing Head over heels for Kate! By Who'll find love on our blind date? Rebekah O'Brien, 26, fell for butcher Rempesa Ole Kirkoya, 40 when he and his Maasai warrior troupe came and performed in the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich in 2012. I knew Rempesa and I were over for good but I missed his children. Rebekah O'Brien, 26, fell for village butcher Rempesa Ole. Their union, though filled with rough patches like any other marriage has stood the test of time and brought pure bliss to their lives. "The next morning the doorbell went and there, standing on the doorstep, was a bearded postman who gave me the letter and said, 'I think this is for your husband.' Pictured: Rebekah with her son Kito Rebekah's love affair. Rebekah, a gym receptionist from Kent, was so entranced with his culture and the connection that she felt that she uprooted her life to move 7,000 miles to be with him - even though hewas already married to his wife Joyce. A married Masai woman can only have sex with men from the same age group. She said he was 27 and still not married and his family was pressing him to get married. Lawrence was jumping up and down. MED student from Ewuaso Kedong' in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Read more:Meet the pigeon fancying pensioner who bought himself a new 6k penis for his 65th birthday. I guess I wanted it to work out with Rempesa.. I live with the Maasai tribe in the Maasai Steppe of Tanzania. She also found it challenging having little alone time with her partner - for he was always surrounded by other warriors. Rebekah tried to stick by her warrior despite a string of death threats, but the relationship ended. One warrior can have up to 7-8 wives. Despite it all, Rebekah says she wants to go back to Kenya and maybe even find love again there. I wanted to stay in Tanzania. 'Saitoty had never had ice cream or fish before he met me.'. In Rempesas culture, Rebekah became his wife when she spent a night in his home and they were set to have a wedding ceremony but had to abandon their plans after his first wife suddenly died. Here we go again! The biennial Maasai Olympics, which was first launched in 2012 to give Maasai warriors an avenue to demonstrate their physical prowess through a sporting event rather than a traditional lion hunt, also aims to . The food is quite greasy and Im still getting used to things like pie and chips and I miss my six siblings in Kenya a lot. In February 2015, she fell pregnant and returned to the UK to have her baby where it could be cared for by the NHS and have British citizenship. Women are still married off at 16, for example, but are no longer circumcised. 'We laughed together and took a photo and she just melted my heart. 'They didn't have an issue with the age difference and told me that if I was happy then I should go for it.'. Come on, before she attacks again. 'When I got to the house, Rempesa led me to his bedroom, and Joyce went and stayed with the children. Everything is so different. I was stunned. We moved in there in January 2012.. We knew the tribe would be shocked. The same is true for my Masai women enterprise making reusable sanitary kits. I havent had the best experience with Maasai men but I could never rule out dating another, she says. So I suggested to him that we should try and make a life in his traditional Maasai family home in the Masai Steppe. Lawrence started begging her for money after she returned to the UK for the birth. RM B6PC43 - portrait female maasai-mara. A white woman who fell in love with her Maasai warrior narrates her love story and how she moved to Tanzania to meet the families and beautiful Maasai people. The central unit of Maasai society is the age-set. But instead of a reunion with her husband, she ended up having a fling the warrior's 19-year-old son Lawrence, who was still at school. I couldnt believe it!" She was an innocent 16-year-old student from Cleethorpes while he was a Maasai warrior almost twice her age, living in a hut in Mombasa, Kenya. 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british woman who married a maasai warrior