UK NEWS

WEAR PANTS AND DON'T SPIT OR HERD THE COWS

Masai Warriors

Thursday April 3,2008

By Mark Reynolds

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A GUIDE to Britain prepared for six African warriors running in the London marathon includes the advice: Always keep your pants on in public.

They have also been told that they should not spit – and never go out herding the native cows.

The six Maasai warriors, from the village of Eluai in northern Tanzania, will wear traditional red robes and carry shields and sticks when they run in the marathon on April 13.

The men regularly encounter lions back home and the “cultural briefing” guide warns them of an equally unpredictable danger in Britain – the “stressed English office worker”.

It says: “You may be surprised by the number of people that there are – and they all seem to be rushing around everywhere.

“Even though some may look like they have a frown on their face, they are very friendly people. Many of them just work in offices – jobs they don’t enjoy – and so they do not smile as much as they should.”

The four-page “Visiting England: A Cultural Briefing For The Warriors” attempts to avoid embarrassing situations arising during the group’s stay.

In a section on manners, it warns: “Whereas at home it is acceptable for you to spit, in England it is not.

“If you have to, you must do so in a sink or in some trees when no one is looking.”

The warriors are also urged to seek a lavatory when they feel the call of nature, rather than heading into the nearest bushes.

The guide, compiled by volunteers from Greenforce, a British charity based in Tanzania, also warns of the perils of wearing too few clothes during the 26-mile race.

It says: “You will see many people who are wearing only small clothes and you will wonder why they are cold and you may think they are being disrespectful. This is normal for England, especially when it is sunny or in the evening.

“However, it is illegal to show certain parts of the body and for this reason it is important you wear underpants when wearing your blankets.”

If they spot cows or sheep in a field during their visit, the warriors are also asked to ignore an instinct to start herding them. “You may see these animals in a field, seemingly left alone. It is important to remember that these animals are owned by someone and are being looked after,” says the guide.

The Maasai hope to raise a significant sum for life-saving water supplies back home.

THIS GIVES ME AN IDEA

03.04.08, 8:04pm

I've just had a brainwave.

Men. With sharpened sticks and shields. Who know little of our laws and culture. In London. Desperate for cash to raise money for "lifesaving water supplies".

I wonder if they will accept a large Brown envelope stuffed with cash, a photo of gordon brown and directions to the houses of parliment???

• Posted by: NathanHobbs • Report Comment

WHAT A LOAD OF OLD CODS WALLOP!!

03.04.08, 11:29am

Pity those six African warriors don't visit Downing Street.

They would sure frighten the s**t out of those cretins.

• Posted by: ReubenMohawali • Report Comment

WHAT A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!!!

03.04.08, 8:51am

****

• Posted by: Veltro205 • Report Comment

THERE'S A LOT MISSING ISN'T THERE??

03.04.08, 6:58am

Where's the parts about where to claim benefits and how to get a house??

Or why they won't be encountering many lions in London, and if they do, they took a wrong turn and the ones in the zoo are actually protected?

• Posted by: DRAGONFLY • Report Comment