Reteti Prayer Day

I don’t know if you know this, but the name "Reteti" (Reteti elephant Sanctuary) in Samburu means a Fig Tree (Ficus thonningii).

The Fig Tree is a sacred tree in the belief system of the Samburu people.

It grows in groves that are regarded sacred. In stressful times, people will travel long distances to sit and say day long communal prayers to Nkai (God) in such sacred groves under this tree to ask Nkai to bring peace.

The Samburu will also take strips of the bark from the Reteti tree which are used for rituals to bring peace to people.
Before it is debarked, the tree is sprayed with milk as a sign of atonement for the injury that is going to be inflicted on the tree.

On October 2nd, at Reteti we joined together in prayer as community to recognize the immense help, hope, growth, hard work and love that our elephants has brought us.

We say thank you for supporting us and thank you for being a part of this big giving and rich tree!