And so, as the Arctic sea-ice continues to shrink and seas rise and mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians slowly fade away, we will continue to apathetically look on. This shouldn’t be happening we will tell ourselves; someone really ought to be doing something about it. But they won’t of course, until awaking one day from our Rip Van Winkle sleep, we look around us in dawning dismay and, belatedly kicking and screaming, disappear too.
GLOSSARY
Animism The basis for most African traditional religions; the belief that there is a spirit in all natural things
Askari Security guard
Boma Maasai and Samburu enclosure for cattle
Bushveld An area of scrubby and often thorny vegetation with grassy ground cover between found in southern Africa. Sometimes call lowveld.
C. I. T. E. S. Convention of Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, formed in 1975
Commiphora Small, deciduous tree with spiky thorns common in low rainfall areas of the Sahel and Ethiopia where a species of it is the source for frankincense and myrrh.
Convolvulus A trailing plant with trumpet-shaped flowers. Some are invasive weeds whilst others, like Morning Glory, are cultivated for their vivid, bright flowers.
Ecosystem Ecologically self-sustaining unit in nature defined by the
interrelationship among animals, plants and the physical environment.
Epicurus Greek philosopher (341-270 BC) whose philosophy sought to attain a happy, tranquil life, characterised by peace and freedom.
Ethology Study of animal behaviour
Hakuna Matata No problem [Swahili]
Igbo The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa with their homeland in south-eastern and south central Nigeria.
Inselberg Isolated hills in flat countryside [literally ‘island mountains’],
I. U. C. N. International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Jambo Hello [Swahili]
Jesse Dense, often impenetrable, thorny scrub
Kahawa Coffee [Swahili]
Kanzu Ankle length coloured robe
Kikoyi Printed cotton wrap around
Kwaheri Goodbye [Swahili]
K.W. S. Kenya Wildlife Services
Laibon Maasai spiritual leader and prophet
Lugga Dried up river bed [Swahili]
MAA Eastern Nilotic language spoken by the Maasai and closely related to that of the Samburu
Malaika Angel [Swahili]
Manyatta Maasai and Samburu village
Matatu Taxi or minicab
Miraa Evergreen shrub from Somalia where it is known as qat that provides a mild stimulant when chewed
Mopane Widely found throughout southern Africa, on account of its tolerance of poorly drained and alkaline soils. In areas of rich, alluvial soils can grow to the height of twenty-five metres where they are known as cathedral mopane on account of their height and the graceful arch of their branches
Moran Maasai and Samburu warrior; plural morani
Ndebele The second largest ethnic group in Zimbabwe
N. F. D. Northern Frontier District. A vast semi-desert wilderness in the north
of Kenya, stretching to the borders of Ethiopia and Somalia
Pan Shallow, depression that fills with water during the rainy season
San Members of various Khoisan speaking indigenous hunter gatherers representing the first people of Africa, Their territories span Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Zimbabwe. Their rock art paintings dating from 3000 years ago, are to be found in caves and rock shelters across southern Africa
Sansevieria Wild sisal growing in tight clusters with dark green leaves in woodlands and savanna from Ethiopia to Tanzania
Shamba Small farm or plot of land
Shona Major tribal group in Zimbabwe comprising over 70% of the population
Shuka Long, usually red, toga worn by Maasai and Samburu
Shifta Bandits originating from Somalia
Vlei A marshy area, usually in grassland regions