Blas schools programme creates Kenyan and Highland exchange of culture.

Pupils at a Highland primary school will take part in a cultural exchange of music and dance this week (Friday 9 September) when a troupe of Kenyan Maasai Warriors visit Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.

Organised as part of the Blas schools 2011 programme, the visiting troupe called the Osiligi Maasai Warriors regularly visit the UK in an effort to raise funds for their families and for improvements to their home village.

The purpose of the troupe is to benefit their community and the families in their village of Kisamis, situated approximately 30 miles southwest of Nairobi. Money is raised by a series of UK tours during which the troupe performs their tribal song and dance and spreads the word about their culture.

The troupe will perform tribal songs and dances plus their celebrated jumping. Children at the Bun-sgoil will be invited to take part in a question and answer session about Maasai culture.  Also by way of cultural exchange, some of the pupils will perform traditional Highland music and dance sets for the Maasai troupe. Highland dancers at the school will wear their kilts to show the Maasai visitors their traditional dress.

Welcoming the cultural exchange at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley said: “This is the fourth year that the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service has organised an exciting range of events to inspire and involve young people to get involved in Blas. I am certain that Osiligi Maasai Warriors will be an awe inspiring experience for our pupils at the Bun-sgoil and I am sure that they will do us proud by sharing our Highland culture with their Kenyan visitors.”

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee added: “In addition to the Maasai Warrior visit to Inverness, the Blas Schools Programme is packed with acoustic concerts, the Travelling Gallery, drama, step dancing, ceramic art, a Jacobite Clansman event at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, and Countryside Ranger interactive events.”

The Blas education programme assists schools and teachers in achieving the experiences and outcomes required for the expressive arts and Gaelic areas of the Curriculum for Excellence by providing opportunities for pupils to deepen their understanding of culture in Scotland and the wider world.

Other events in the Blas Schools Programme include: the Outside Track (Canadian/ Scottish/Irish song and dance band); drama in Lochaber; step dancing workshops; The Pipers Trail; clay modelling workshops; Live literature with Dr Fred Freedman; traditional tales/ storytelling; and Gaelic drama workshops.

Further information on the Blas Festival events are on the Blas website at http://www.blas-festival.com/.