Councillor Ted Thompson, Civic Head of Dumfries and Galloway Council was delighted to participate in ‘An evening with Ezekiel Katato and John Hastings-Thomson’ in Thornhill on 23 September.
Ezekiel is a Maasai elder from Kenya and John is the great grand-nephew of Joseph Thomson, the African explorer and geologist, who was born and lived in the Dumfries and Galloway village of Penpont and who was educated at the local school. His motto is often quoted to be “He who goes gently, goes safely; he who goes safely, goes far.”
Councillor Thompson presented Ezekiel with a Quaich, the traditional Scottish cup used as a visitor’s welcome, on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council to mark his visit.
Joseph Thomson was probably the first European to cross Maasai land and Ezekiel learned about him in school. Thomson’s gazelle and the Thomson Falls are both named after him.
Ezekiel and John both dreamt of walking in Joseph Thomson’s footsteps and last year both men took part in a walk with people from many different countries, across Maasai land, camping and visiting villages and schools along the way.
The evening of Scottish and African entertainment was held in Wallacehall Academy and was well attended by members of the community. Ezekiel spoke about some of the projects being taken forward by Maasai people in Kenya to help sustain their way of life and he was certainly given a warm reception by descendants of Joseph Thomson, members of the Joseph Thomson Group and local people. Dumfries and Galloway Council was delighted to be able to participate in this unique event.
Councillor Thompson said: ‘It was wonderful to meet Ezekiel who is passionate about preserving the Maasai culture and way of life but recognises the need to bring his people into the 21st century by engaging in income generation projects, learning opportunities and recording their culture. It is clear that it was dream come true for him to be able to meet a descendant of Joseph Thomson and come to Penpont. I had a lovely evening and I hope that the links with Ezekiel and his people can continue in the future.’
Civic Head Of Dumfries and Galloway Council Extends Welcome to Maasai Elder
