Joy Stephens. In and Out of the Maasai Steppe. Cape Town: BestRed, 2016. x + 266pp. Bibliography. Index. R295,00. Paper. ISBN: 978-1-928246-12-1.

Joy Stephens’In and Out of the Maasai Steppeis an enjoyable memoir that carries the voices of the women of the Mama Masai beading groups to the reader. The book is based on the author’s experiences of establishing and working with women’s groups throughout the Maasai Steppe and the development challenges this presented. From 1999 to 2006, the author lived and worked in Tanzania and visited the various women’s groups, often staying with them in their engags (houses), learning about their culture and observing their way of life. The author also visited the groups annually from 2007 to 2013, which allows for her prolonged relationships, observation, and reflection.