Summary

In Chapter 21, Wainaina describes what Maasailand is high up in the Mau Hills. Wainaina is particularly interested in the freezing temperature.

He also describes a celebration among the Maasai women. For a season those who have given birth are released from domestic duties and allowed to take lovers. Wainaina is warned to stay away from any bands of women he sees. They meet a group as they are returning from work one day. The man driving the tractor cannot turn around so he keeps driving toward the band of women. One of the men warns him not to stop but he has no choice. The only way to get around the women is by giving them money.

Wainaina soaks up a list of new words from his father’s World Almanac and Book of Facts 1992. He compares the list of words to an...