Big Life’s Maasai Olympics represent a history-changing shift from killing to conservation of lions.

In 2012, at the behest of the Menye Layiok (Maasai "cultural fathers”), Big Life established this organized sporting event based on traditional Maasai warrior skills to replace the long-held tradition of hunting lions as a mark of bravery and prestige.

Every two years, participating villages select teams through a series of local and regional tournaments leading up to the finals across six categories of sporting events. The winning team takes home a prize bull and top honors for the day.

Big Life recently partnered with Black Bean Productions to create a short video that helps transport you to East Africa to experience the Maasai Olympics. In December 2018, Big Life successfully held the 4th biennial Maasai Olympics final event, which is featured in the film. Through the Massai Olympics, the Predator Compensation Fund, conservation education, and other collaboration with local communities and partners, Big Life’s area of operation is one of the few areas in all of Africa where the lion population is growing, not declining.

Please share this video with family and friends, as increased support for Big Life allows us to keep progressing towards a world in which conservation supports the people and people support conservation.

Many thanks to our 2018 Maasai Olympics sponsors, including: National Geographic Society, Disney Conservation Fund, Born Free Foundation, Chester Zoo, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Charles & Judy Tate, Fairview Foundation, Zoo Basel, Great Plains Conservation, Great Plains Foundation, Marleen Groen, Safari Professionals of the Americas, and Safarilink.