The Kalenjin tribe

The Kalenjin tribe

  07:15    Tabutany ak Cheplangat

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The Kalenjin tribe belongs to the Nilotic ethnic group called highland Nilotes which consists of the following sub-tribes spread throughout East Africa;

• Kipsigis

• Nandi
• Keiyo
• Marakwet
• Sabaot/Kony
• Pokots/Suk
• Terik
• Ogiek/Dorobo
• Tugen (Samor, Eldorais, Lembus,Pokor keben,Aror)
• Sengwer/Cherangany

The above are in Kenya while in Tanzania consists of:

• Barabaek
• Tatireek
• Hilbangrangaek
• Sonjoek
• Sirikwaek (Sindawi)
• Nataeek)
• Badyut
• Tatogaeek

In Sudan are Morule among others while in Uganda are Sebei or Kipsabiny among others.
The word or term ‘Kalenjin’ was coined by earlier scholars of the tribe during 1940s probably at Alliance High school. This is because all the sub tribes of Kalenjin always utter the word ‘Kaleeii’ meaning ‘I say or l say to you’, before uttering or saying any word. Thus the word ‘kaleeii’ is common to all of the sub-tribe hence Kalenjin collectively.

Earlier, the colonialist used to refer to all kalenjin as Nandis,thus actually all Kalenjin collectively resisted colonial rule in Kalenjin land, lead by legendary Koitalel Arap Samoei in Nandi, Kipchomber arap Koilegen alias kiptoingeny kochichlem, kibuigut Arap Singoe and Kipkirui Arap Boisio in Kipsigis land.All were sons of legendary Kipnyole Arap Turugat alias Simbolei.Koitalel Arap Samoei ,Kipnyole last born was finally assassinated by colonolist while others first born Kipchomber Arap koilegen and other brothers were finally deported.

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KALENJIN DOWRY

KALENJIN DOWRY

  10:04    Tabutany ak Cheplangat

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KALENJIN DOWRY

KALENJIN DOWRY

Dowry payment among the Kalenjin were as follows;

1. Teta ne abai (cow under lactation) this signifies procreation to the new family.

2. Eito ne iyumi tuga (Oxen).

3. Teta nebo riyotet/ne kotot (Cow near to conceive).

4. Roriat (Heifer).

5. Teta ne iyumi nego/iywoget (mature cow).

6. Kwesta/Kipkugeret (he goat for father).

7. Kechiriet/Chepkugeret (Sheep for mother).

8. Chepngabait/Roriat (token for upkeep especially during childhood).

9. Kechiriet nebo arwet (for mother in law so as to allow son in law call her Boger alternatively Goat with lamb for mother in law so as to allow son in law call her Boger.

10. Mwaita (soap for the father, lump sum money ranges between ten thousand to four hundred thousand shillings currently.

11.Chepletiot-Normally mature heifer where the son in law will later take back the calf. Normally Chepletiot is not commonly paid but in a situation where the husband querrels with his wife to the point where she goes to her real fathers home and the mistake emanates from the husband, the husband was compelled to pay chepletiot.

12.Nyoetab kaat (normally if the couple elopes without the consent of their immediate families the husband was supposed to pay a fine of normally five thousand to twenty thousand to his wife father/family)kiome sanian koigeny meaning that the assistance from inlaws is endless.

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Mugeni araap Monde Kipsigis Prophet

Mugeni araap Monde Kipsigis Prophet

  09:42    Tabutany ak Cheplangat

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Mugeni araap Monde must have been the most prominent messenger(Maotiot) in the entire Kipsigis and Nandi.

Mugeni araap Monde was the  most prominent messenger in
the entire Kipsigis and Nandi.

Mugeni araap Monde must have been the most prominent messenger(Maotiot) in the entire Kipsigis and Nandi. He worked closely with prophet Boiyot araap Tagaro of Belguut, Boiyoot araap Bwuoiyo of Ng’echereet,Silibwet, araap Sungula of the Sabaot and others. But who was Mugeni araap Monde? The younger generation may not have heard about him.

Mugeni araap Monde was a messenger of Woorkoik royal people. He relayed messages to Kipsigis from Woorkoiik because it was the customs. 

Mugeni araap Monde was the son Barg’etuny araap Simondi of Kipkendeek clan, the clan of former Bomet Governor, Hon Isaack Kiprono araap Rutto. 

It is believed that araap Simondi was a Nandi who had families in Kipsigis. Araap Monde was uncle(U mameet or Ngapu) of Kipchomber araap Koilegen and Koitalel araap Samoei. 

When the Nandis killed the great Woorkoiyoot Oloitorian Kipnyole Barbarani Simbolei araap Turugat in 1890, Mugeni brought some of Koitel’s brothers to Kipsigis. His mother was the daughter of araap Turugat .

In 1913, Mugeni was among a strong delegation of Kipsigis chiefs who had been invited to Mombasa by the British during the celebrations. When he was brought back home, the Europeans told the people, “This is your Mugeni(visitor) and from thence, he got the name Mugeni.

Kile Mugeni tun mee Soot negime teret, kome Bureti nekime sotet kome Belguut nekime aoito.

He also talked at length on Kenya’s leadership saying that in future a Kipsigis with “stars” on his face would rule Kenya.

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Kipchomber araap Koilegen

Kipchomber araap Koilegen

  09:21    Tabutany ak Cheplangat

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 Kipchomber araap Koilegen,the eldest son of Oloibon Kipyole Simbolei araap Turugat was one of the greatest heroes/diviners and woorkoiyoot of his time. 

After his dad was killed by Kapmelililo and Kapsiondoi war divisions of the Nandi, araap Koilegen went to rule the Kipsigis and expanded their territories by pushing the Luos and Abugusi further hence his other name was Kochichilem. 

Around 1901-3, a very Big Bull disappeared from King' George kraal in Northern England. the Bull crossed the English Channel and traveled all the way from North Africa to Kenya. The bull was first discovered in Laikipia where there European settlement but slowly moved towards Kericho. The veterinary doctors at the time discovered the strange bull which refused to be tamed. 

A message was sent to the settlers whether they had lost a bull and no one had lost any. A telegram was further sent to South Africa and none reported missing any bull. 

The veterinary doctors followed the Bull all the way from Laikipia to Kiptere in Belgut when it went and stayed peacefully in the Boma of araap Koilegen. when the bull reached araap Koilegen's boma, araap Koilegen touched its head and went straight to where there were other cattle and mingled freely with the rest of the livestock. 

This shocked the veterinary doctors at the time. They just took the Number which was emblazoned on the bull's ear and left. after months of investigation, word reached Kenya that a bull had disappeared in the boma of King George. it turned out to be the one that was in araap Koilegen's Boma. 

The interpretation is that the powers of the two Kings were competing.

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