For today’s episode of Many Voices, I was delighted to welcome our guest, Mark Lenini Parselelo, to tell us about the music of his Maasai community. Born in Kenya, Mark moved to Canada to pursue a PhD in Ethnomusicology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. I really enjoyed hearing Mark share music ranging from traditional Maasai lullabies learned from his grandmother, to the jumping adumu dance of moran warriors, to contemporary fusion songs of today’s youth. Maasai culture has rightly become famous around the world, and I hope you enjoy this rare chance to learn about it directly from Mark!Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:04 1 (meaningful): Ainoru Osiligi (“The Perfect Hope”) - Sung by Mark Lenini Parselelo

06:09 2 (traditional): "Maasai Song 3" - Recorded 1966 by Pierre Gaisseau (https://theglobaljukebox.org/song/3878)

09:00 3 (contemporary): Engolong’ Osirua - Izzo Kores (https://youtu.be/SN5QLvVJnt0)

10:45 4 Maasai warriors performing a jumping contest in Ewangan village Maasai Mara - Maasai Lifestyle (https://youtu.be/_MO9B2jLOgw)

12:59 5 (happy): Olodumare - Joel Lwaga (https://youtu.be/CJ2zMja5KR8)

14:03 6 (dancing): Amini - Alice Kimanzi & Victor Maestro (https://youtu.be/t9zwjc8LacA)

15:20 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Maasai cultureCredits:

Recorded 4 March 2026

Guest & video editor: Mark Lenini Parselelo

Presenter & producer: Dr Patrick Savage

Intro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A)

Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke