Noreen Peniel’s efforts to keep cultural heritage alive in the US

She says the United States has given her the freedom to remain true to herself.

America’s diversity, she explained, allows people from different cultures to express themselves openly without fear of judgement.

“The country is very diverse, and it allows you to be your true self,” she said.

For Noreen, authenticity matters deeply. She believes people should never feel pressured to become someone else merely to gain acceptance.

In her view, confidence in one’s roots is more important than blending into society simply for approval.

Many Africans living abroad often feel compelled to assimilate fully into the cultures of their adopted countries.

Some abandon their languages, customs and even traditional dress in an attempt to fit in or survive socially. Noreen understands those pressures.

However, she believes this generation of Africans in the diaspora should be proud ambassadors of their heritage rather than distancing themselves from it.

“If you are not comfortable in your own skin, and you don’t like yourself, no one else will,” she said.

She feels some Africans voluntarily disconnect themselves from their identity once they move abroad.

To some, abandoning their culture becomes a symbol of social advancement or sophistication. Noreen disagrees with that outlook completely.

Instead, she proudly embraces her Tanzanian and Maasai identity wherever she goes. She does not hesitate to explain her customs, traditions and way of life to Americans she meets.

“If Americans want to become Maasai, that’s ok with me,” she said with laughter. “I welcome them. Let them change to my culture.”

The Maasai community is widely recognised as one of Africa’s strongest custodians of traditional culture.

Despite colonial rule and decades of outside influence, the Maasai have fiercely preserved their customs, language and social structures.

Many African societies saw indigenous traditions weakened or dismissed during colonialism. Yet the Maasai remained remarkably resilient.

That cultural resilience was not accidental. Long before colonial boundaries were created, the Maasai community already had systems of governance and social order deeply rooted in tradition.

Elders guided society through councils that taught morals, discipline and community values to younger generations.

Even while living in America, Noreen says those traditions continue to shape her behaviour and decisions.

“If here in the US I ever mess up or do things contrary to our culture, I will receive calls from my elders,” she said jokingly.

The statement reflects how closely connected many Maasai people remain to their communities, regardless of where they live. Distance has not erased accountability or belonging.

Walking through American streets in traditional Maasai attire has also produced unexpected reactions for Noreen.

Rather than ridicule, she has mostly encountered admiration, curiosity and appreciation.

Many Americans approach her with excitement, fascinated by the uniqueness of her clothing and eager to learn more about Tanzania and Maasai culture.

For her, those encounters reaffirm an important lesson. People should celebrate what makes them different rather than hide it.

She often notices Indians, Chinese and people from many other nationalities proudly wearing traditional attire in the United States.

Their confidence inspires her to continue doing the same.

Other communities have also successfully transformed their cultures into thriving economic opportunities abroad.

Indian cuisine, Chinese food and Ethiopian restaurants have become deeply embedded in American society.

Across cities in the United States, restaurants representing these cultures attract loyal customers and generate significant business.

Noreen believes Tanzanians can achieve something similar if they embrace and promote their heritage with pride.

Tanzanian cuisine, traditions and storytelling, she argues, hold enormous potential.

“There is no reason for Tanzanians in the diaspora to think their culture is inferior,” she explained.

Her outlook has been shaped partly by a growing movement among Africans abroad who are reclaiming pride in their heritage.

One figure who has particularly inspired her is Fuse ODG. Through his “New Africa Nation” movement, the artist has consistently encouraged Africans to value their identity, traditions and creativity.

Beyond music, the movement challenges long-standing stereotypes about Africa and urges Africans to control their own narratives in fashion, storytelling and culture. For Noreen, that message resonates strongly.

She believes many Africans still struggle with what she describes as a colonial mindset, where foreign cultures are automatically viewed as superior.

“We have to get rid of the colonial mindset that has many Africans thinking other people’s culture and traditions are better than ours,” she said.

As a Maasai woman, Noreen understands how closely Maasai culture is linked to Tanzania’s international image.

Traditional Maasai attire, dances and customs have long featured prominently in the country’s tourism campaigns.

Visitors from around the world associate Tanzania with the striking cultural identity of the Maasai people.

Noreen has taken it upon herself to become an informal cultural ambassador. In conversations with friends, neighbours and colleagues in Massachusetts, she constantly speaks about Tanzania and its attractions.

As a member of a local running club, she has also started encouraging fellow runners to visit Tanzania and participate in the annual Kilimanjaro Marathon held near Mount Kilimanjaro.

She passionately shares stories about the mountain, wildlife, Tanzanian hospitality and Maasai traditions.

Gradually, her American friends have become increasingly curious about the country she speaks of with such affection.

She believes promoting Tanzania does not always require expensive campaigns or official programmes.

Sometimes, simple everyday actions can create meaningful impact.

“That one traditional robe will have people talking about Tanzania and telling each other about our beautiful country,” she said.

For Noreen, cultural representation begins with ordinary conversations.

Mentioning Tanzania alone can spark curiosity in someone hearing about the country for the first time.

In today’s digital world, that curiosity can easily lead people to search online, learn more and eventually plan a visit.

“They might want to visit Tanzania after reading about it online,” she noted.

At the same time, Noreen is careful not to criticise Tanzanians who adapt to life abroad differently.

She understands that not everyone feels comfortable wearing traditional African attire publicly. What matters most to her is that people do not completely reject their identity.

She argues that speaking proudly about Tanzania, even in small ways, can strengthen the country’s image abroad. She admires how South Africans and Nigerians frequently mention and celebrate their countries in conversations overseas.

According to her, Tanzanians should develop similar confidence.

“You seldom see that with Tanzanians in the diaspora, but it should be the norm,” she said.

Noreen believes Tanzania possesses a unique story worth sharing with the world. The country is home to more than 130 tribes living together peacefully. In a world often divided by ethnicity and identity politics, she sees Tanzania’s harmony as something exceptional.

For her, that unity reflects deeply rooted cultural values of coexistence, respect and family.

“People often wonder how a country with so many tribes lives in harmony,” she said. “But that is our story. It goes back to our culture of co-existing as one big family, and we should tell that story.”

And for Noreen, telling that story begins with honouring her own traditions, one Maasai robe at a time.