Maasai walk through Istanbul to draw attention to Africa's water woes

By Ilyas Kacar

ISTANBUL (AA) - Members of the Maasai ethnic group, who came to Turkey at the invitation of the International Water Well Aid Association, continued their walk through the streets of Istanbul on Wednesday to draw attention to the water troubles in Africa.

In a bid to raise awareness among the international community about water shortages on the continent, which have also been a global issue due to climate change, the members of the Maasai tribe covered a distance of around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) in three days with water buckets they carried on their heads.

During their visit to the local authorities, they told of their struggle to gain access to clean water and how they have to walk at least six kilometers (3.7 miles) a day to have a bowl of water to drink.

Later, they visited the historic Spice Bazaar and enjoyed Turkish delight offered by local tradesmen and also performed traditional dances there.

They also visited the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, where they prayed, and enjoyed a sea tour around the Bosphorus, including the unique scenery of the strait connecting the continents of Europe and Asia.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas