A millionaire British antiques dealer has swapped his suit and tie for traditional African robes— after being made a Maasai elder.
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Mr Graham Pendrill outside his 12-bedroom mansion in Bristol |
Mr Graham Pendrill, 57, cuts a bizarre figure as he wanders down his local High Street wearing nothing but an off-the-shoulder thigh-length red robe.He fell in love with the tribe during a holiday last year and was made a Maasai elder after solving a potentially violent inter-tribal dispute.
Now Graham, whose tribal name is Siparo - meaning, "brave one" - plans to sell his Sh162 million 12-bedroom mansion and quit Britain to live in a mud hut with the Maasai.
"People can call me eccentric if they want to— it doesn’t bother me in the least.
"I was wearing Maasai dress for most of the time I was with the Maasai and when I got back home my ordinary clothes just felt odd.
"I’ve now bagged up all my suits and shirts and given them away to Oxfam.
"I had one or two sideways looks and a difficult moment in a Bristol pub, but as long as you maintain a proper demeanour most people are courteous and polite.
"A builder took exception and tried to start a fight with me but I calmed him down and it all ended peacefully".
Bachelor Graham, a former parish councillor for his hometown of Almondsbury near Bristol, got involved with the Maasai last October during a month-long trip. He was returning from a day-trip viewing flamingoes when a thunderstorm broke and he spotted a group of Maasai drenched by the roadside near Magadi town.
Graham said: "I persuaded the driver to stop and give them a lift and they were so grateful they invited me to stay with them.
"I went back two days later and talked to them and helped them sort out a dispute over stolen cattle with another tribe.
"I met with several chieftains, which can be dangerous, but I didn’t flinch and to thank me the Maasai named me Siparo— meaning brave one— and made me an elder."
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Pendrill with a group of Maasai youths during his visit last year |
During the official ceremony in January this year, Graham drank bull’s urine, had a cow sacrificed in his honour and was given Maasai clothes and a ceremonial club.He now wears these traditional robes as he goes about his daily business in England— even when he goes to the pub or shops.
"It was a real honour to be made an elder," he said.
"I am very close to the chief- they insist I’m the first white Maasai.
"I’ve developed a huge respect and affection for the people over there.
"They are dignified and straight to the point and I have made some good friendships."
Graham, who is not married and has no children, admits he could be at risk when he moves in with the Maasai.
He added: "The politics in Kenya is volatile - the government leaves tribal skirmishes alone.
I know that being white could mean I am targeted because I have money but that doesn’t scare me."
Graham hopes to sell up lock, stock and barrel and move in with the Maasai full-time later this year.
