With Kenya's Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, these Maasai men get ready to become 'warriors'.
Since ancient times, young Maasai on the cusp on manhood have competed for warrior status -- and the hearts of girls -- by killing a lion.
But that ritual is changing.
These men - 16 to 25 -- are competing instead for bragging rights at the 'Maasai Olympics'.
The idea formed in 2008 ... by a conservationist and a group of concerned Maasai elders who wanted to bring lions back from the brink of near extinction.
(SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) MAASAI OLYMPICS ATHLETE, JOHN KETEKO, SAYING:
"Back in the day, people used to kill lions because people did not know the animal's benefits. Now we understand their importance, that's why we don't kill them. We co-exist because we see they have many advantages."
Embracing this new perspective on manly-prowess hasn't been too difficult.
Most Maasai wear Western cloths and even those in traditional robes have cell p