The programme which started in 2013 – which means “Mothers of Lions” in Kiswahili – empowers Samburu women through education, conservation training, environmental stewardship, and providing alternative livelihood income. The programme was the brainchild of two Samburu women – Mparasaroi Lemantaan and Munteli Lalparasaroi. Ewaso Lions engaged the Mama Simba women in; conservation, education and beadwork activities for a number of years. In September 2022, Mama Simba ladies gathered to take stock of how their work was evolving, and decide how to re-weight various programmes and activities. They have articulated their mission as preserving culture, empowering women, and improving livelihoods through conservation. They now hold firmly to the historically held belief that wildlife belongs to women. The Mama Simba programme fits within all four pillars of our new strategy.
Under the mission of “bringing back wildlife to women”, the Mama Simba ladies work on the following planned themes:
- Culture and Conservation
- Community Engagement and Awareness
- Environmental Literacy
- Lion Habitat Recovery
- Drought Support
- Lion Monitoring
- Beadwork
Mama Simba Programme Components
- Conservation
- Education
- Beadwork
As of September 2019, the Mama Simba Programme was structured to be predominantly conservation work which includes both on the ground (hands-on) restoration work and advocacy. The two other components continue to be education and beadwork.
The two main components of conservation work are restoration and advocacy. Women in Samburu are the cornerstone of the home. Under the banner “Bring the lions back home,” the women will work closely with the Grevy’s Zebra Trust team to carry out restoration activities in Westgate conservancy. This includes weekly work such as:
- Cutting down invasive species
- Planting grass
- Creating exclusion zones with invisible fences and other activities.
Under advocacy, women will hone their skills as the voices of lions in the community. They will:
- Hold monthly meetings with Mamas in Westgate villages
- Take women on safari to the Samburu National Reserve quarterly
- Play the conservation game developed by Ewaso Lions monthly
In July 2019, Ewaso Lions teamed up with the Africa Educational Trust (AET) to come up with a more relevant literacy programme for both women and men. The programme draws on issues and concerns of daily Samburu life to make learning more practical and enjoyable.
With this new method, each Mama attends class at least once a week and is able to progress to intermediary and advanced level learning.
As a continued expression of their love for lions, the Mama Simba ladies continue to maintain and advance their famous beadwork skills. Although only a peripheral part of their programme, this work hones their creativity and ability to produce quality craftsmanship.
The Mamas have long been known for their handiwork in making beaded lions. In 2018, they branched out, trying out beaded dog collars for the first time, which were sold at the WCN Expo.
We endeavour to get them a more stable market for their products, to help uplift them economically, while preserving their traditional way of life.
Contribute directly to conserving the lion landscape while inspiring other women in the conservancy to love wildlife
Use the new and relevant literacy received to write their own stories and participate courageously in society
Create marketable products to help uplift them economically while sharing their art and culture with the world
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Read more about our Mama Simba programme:
- BBC Earth: “These brave women have found a way to live alongside lions”
- SWARA Magazine: “Mama Simba – Giving Women a Voice in Conservation”
- Read about our Mama Simba new Vision and Strategy Mama Simba Vision & Strategy
For more information about Mama Simba please contact info@ewasolions.org
Mama Simba is supported by World Women Work