May 7, 1999

Going to the Sources of Africa's 'Sage Philosophy'

By ANDREA USEEM

Gail Presbey treads a narrow dirt path to reach the compound of Ngaimarish Ole Mulo, a Maasai sage. Mzee Ngaimarish -- "Mzee" is an honorific title meaning "old man" -- had been expecting Ms. Presbey, an American philosopher, at this tiny settlement 30 miles south of Nairobi. But the dry season means water shortages, and the sage had risen early to lead his cattle to a distant borehole, explains his wife, Margaret. It's an understandable