Author Archives: admin

Emily O'Dell motorcycling through the Middle East...

For several months now, I’ve been on the road in Africa and the Middle East (and soon on to Asia!), having a host of new adventures…more updates to come soon on my archaeology endeavors, academic talks, writing publications, arts initiatives, and volunteer projects with refugees and young cancer patients–more to come soon!

Emily O'Dell at Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind" and site of the Leakey excavations, in Tanzania

Before giving a lecture in Tanzania on the excavations of the Leakey family at Olduvai Gorge (as well as the work of Leakey’s Angels: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey & Birutė Galdikas), I visited Oldupai Gorge to discuss the latest finds at the site.

Emily O'Dell with elephants while leading a safari at Lake Manyara in Tanzania

Growing ever more passionate about the protection and preservation of Africa’s wildlife, I visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya to visit baby elephant and rhino orphans rescued from poachers, after guiding a safari filled with many lions and baby elephants in the wild. The two week year old elephant in this picture was just featured in National Geographic: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/orphan-elephants/siebert-text/1.

Petting baby elephant orphans in Kenya...(Photo: Emily O'Dell)

To foster one of these precious baby elephant orphans, please visit: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org. To learn more about the work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, czech out the film “Born to be Wild,” narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Emily O'Dell visiting elefriends while leading a safari in Tanzania

Emily O'Dell meeting with a Masai medicine man in Kenya

For book research, I met this summer with a number of traditional healers in the Middle East and Africa.  I’m looking forward to sharing the fruit of my research with readers soon!

Emily O'Dell meeting with Masai warriors in Kenya

Emily O'Dell making new friends in Tanzania

This August, I spent time visiting Masai, Iraqw, and Chagga tribal villages in Kenya and Tanzania, and made many new friends…both small and tall…

Emily O'Dell speaking with Masai children in a Kenyan village

Most Iraqw believe in the immortality of the soul, and a cosmos dominated by Lo’a, a good spirit, and Netlangw, an evil spirit.

Emily O'Dell with the creator of this beautiful Iraqw wedding outfit in Tanzania