My Kenya Days

My Kenya Days chronicles Wilfred Thesiger's experiences living among remote communities in northern Kenya from 1959 to 1994. Thesiger documents his time with the Samburu people and his expeditions across Kenya's wilderness areas during a period of significant change. The book combines Thesiger's personal observations with his black and white photography, capturing both the landscapes and the daily lives of Kenya's pastoral tribes. His accounts detail hunting expeditions, tribal customs, and the gradual modernization that began transforming traditional ways of life. Through detailed descriptions and firsthand accounts, Thesiger presents the complexities of Kenya's cultures, wildlife, and geography over several decades. His position as both outsider and accepted guest provides unique access to communities that were largely isolated from the wider world. The narrative reflects broader themes of cultural preservation, the impact of modernization on traditional societies, and one outsider's deep connection to a land and people that became his home. Thesiger's work stands as both historical record and personal testimony of a vanishing way of life.

Readers note this book offers less depth and narrative power compared to Thesiger's earlier works like Arabian Sands. Many describe it as a collection of disconnected episodes and observations from his later life in Kenya rather than a cohesive story. Readers appreciated: - High quality photographs documenting tribal life - Insights into traditional Kenyan cultures - Thesiger's intimate knowledge of remote areas - His respect for local peoples and customs Common criticisms: - Lacks the adventure and drama of his previous books - Writing feels detached and impersonal - Too much focus on hunting experiences - Minimal historical or cultural context provided Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (52 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (11 reviews) One reader noted: "The photos are stunning but the text reads like a travel log rather than the rich narratives we expect from Thesiger." Another said: "Worth it for the photography alone, but don't expect the same caliber of storytelling as Arabian Sands."

Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger This first-hand account chronicles Thesiger's journeys through the Empty Quarter of Arabia, documenting the Bedu people and their vanishing way of life through both text and photographs.

Desert, Marsh and Mountain by Wilfred Thesiger The book follows Thesiger's explorations across Iraq, Iran, Kurdistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, capturing traditional societies on the brink of change through his experiences living among them.

Among the Mountains by Wilfred Thesiger This narrative details Thesiger's travels in the remote mountain regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kurdistan, recording the customs and traditions of the highland peoples he encountered.

Behind the Ranges by Bernard Ollivier The text documents Ollivier's journey on foot along the Silk Road from Turkey to China, focusing on the peoples and cultures of Central Asia's mountainous regions.

The Tree Where Man Was Born by Peter Matthiessen This work combines natural history with anthropology in its examination of East Africa's landscapes and peoples, particularly focusing on the Maasai and other traditional societies.

🌍 Thesiger spent nearly 30 years living among the tribal peoples of northern Kenya, documenting their traditional ways of life through photography and writing, despite being in his 60s when he first settled there. 📷 The book features over 150 black and white photographs taken by Thesiger himself, who was known for carrying his heavy Leica cameras through some of Africa's most challenging terrains. 👑 The author was born into British nobility and educated at Eton and Oxford, but chose to spend most of his life living in remote areas among indigenous peoples, earning him the nickname "The Last Explorer." 🏃 During his time in Kenya, Thesiger walked thousands of miles on foot, preferring traditional methods of travel and repeatedly refusing to use vehicles, even when they became widely available. 🌿 The book details the dramatic environmental and cultural changes in Kenya between 1959 and 1994, serving as an important historical record of traditional tribal life before widespread modernization.