Laibon Mbatiany

121 cm x 81 cm
Oil on plywood

The famous Laibon* Mbatiany had only one eye and was the greatest among all the Laibons of the different clans.
…Because he had had several dreams, he assembled the people and told them: "I see butterflies –white–and they have an iron snake."

In fact, this was the train. The Laibon asked them:
"Now that the iron snake is crossing the country, should I hit it?"

So the Massai, who were very brave, answered:
"Let it come, let us see what it looks like."

But the Laibon told them he needed to strike it at the head because things would change forever if the snake were allowed to reach them.

With this account, the famous Laibon Mbatiany was prophesizing the arrival of the British and the construction of the railroad. Laibon: The Massai have only one god, Enk-ai, the master of creation. They invoke him every day, often to ask for rain and prosperity. However, they call upon the tribe's healing priests, the laibons, for spiritual guidance and for all matters relating to health, work or love. The laibons live in the hills. Closer to the heavens, they reach the spiritual level more easily. They foretell the arrival of rain by watching the movements of the birds and snakes, increase the fertility of the livestock and of women with the use of powders and rituals, foretell of love and wealth.

Excerpt from the book "On the Land of the Massai" by Elizabeth Gilbert – Albin Michel.