ANTIQUE dealer Graham Pendrill has fallen so deeply in love with the Maasai people of Kenya that he has adopted their tribal dress for everyday wear around Almondsbury.
He has decided to dispense with "constricting" shirt and trousers since returning from his latest trip to East Africa where he strenghtened relationships with local people and was even made a tribal elder.
"People can call me eccentric if they want to - it doesn't bother me in the least," said the former Almondsbury parish councillor who has spent seven years restoring the village's former cottage hospital and turning it into a private residence and a base for his up-market antiques business.
"I was wearing Maasai dress for most of the time I was with the Maasai and when I got back my ordinary clothes just felt odd.
"I've developed a huge respect and affection for the people over there. In fact I feel so much a part of them that I'm seriously thinking of selling up and going to live amongst them. They are dignified and straight to the point and I have made some good friendships over there."
He said the Maasai were now faced with exhorbitant local land taxes and he was considering buying a tract of land on which they could live a traditional life of freedom.
"This last visit was one of the most moving and humbling experiences of my whole life," said Graham, 57.
"I was able to act as peace broker in a tribal skirmish and they actually held a ceremony for me in which was I was made a tribal elder. I can't say if they're right, but they insist that I'm the first white Maasai."
He said he hoped to be wearing the tribal dress even when Almondsbury's weather turned nippy and was not at all bothered what people thought.
"I've had one or two sideways looks and a difficult moment in a Bristol pub but as long as you maintain a proper demeanour most people are courteous and polite and are just very interested."
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