A Maasai Encounter with the Bible: Nomadic Lifestyle as a Hermeneutic Question

Description

This book is a critical analysis of how Maasai informants read some selected Old Testament texts that are thought to have an appeal to people with semi/nomadic ways of life. The Maasai is a Nilotic ethnic group of semi/nomadic pastoralists living in the northern Tanzania, and southern Kenya, East Africa. The book focuses on the parallels between the Maasai and biblical concepts of nomadic lifestyle. On the one hand, the semi/nomadic heritage of the Maasai faces severe cultural and political difficulties when encountering East African modern ways of life. On the other, the ancient Israel actually experienced the opposite, seeing a strengthening of semi/nomadic ways of life. Therefore, the book demonstrates the potentials of the supposed parallels between the two by allowing the experiences of the ancient Israel to contribute to strengthen the semi/nomadic ways of life, a key aspect of traditional Maasai values into the contemporary East African context. Cover Contents Acknowledgements Chapter One: Introduction A Case from Maasai Background and Context Research Context Research Question and Approach Aim of the Study Methodology Ethical Considerations Scope and Limitations The Maasai Partial Conclusion Bibliography Chapter Two: Theoretical Perspectives Introduction The Maasai Oral “Text” Interpretive Context Actors Partial Conclusion Bibliography Chapter Three: Reading Old Testament Texts in Maasai Context Introduction Data Collection and Analysis A Maasai Reading of Gen. 13:1–12 A Maasai Reading of Exod. 13:17–22 A Maasai Reading of Jer 35:5–10 Partial Conclusion Bibliography Chapter Four: Maasai Indigenous Readings in Dialogue with Critical Old Testament Studies: Reflections and Implications Introduction Methodological Consideration Maasai Readings of Gen. 13:1–12 in Dialogue with Critical Old Testament Studies Maasai Readings of Exod. 13:17–22 in Dialogue with Critical Old Testament Studies Maasai Readings of Jer 35:5–10 in Dialogue with Critical Old Testament Studies Partial Conclusion Bibliography Chapter Five: Maasai Experiences and Old Testament Studies in Africa Introduction Old Testament Studies in Africa Contemporary Challenges of Old Testament Studies in Africa My Maasai Project as a Contribution Partial Conclusion Bibliography Chapter Six: Concluding Remarks A Summary of Findings A Response to My Research Question A Case from Maasai: What Can Be Said to Meitamei Bibliography Appendices Scripture Index Subject Index