THE KALENJIN PEOPLE
INTRODUCTION
The Kalenjin tribe belongs to the Nilotic ethnic group called highland Nilotes which consists of the following sub-tribes spre
ad 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 to Maragwa and his kinsmen later deported to Gwasi area heavily
infested with tsetsefly in Lambwe valley actually a form of genocide.
The original name of kalenjin is ‘miot’ meaning lovers of honey and
milk since they are their preffered meal. The kalenjin myths claims that
they are the miot lagokab lote (miot children of lote) Miot could also
refers to Moabites in Bible which is an indication that they may have
come across each other and intermarry at a place called Goshen.The
current kalenjin council of elders are called Miot because of above.
The Old Testament of the Bible shows a very closely related cultural
practices of Jews and kalenjin showing that they have a common
ancestry.When Jesus Christ was born ,King Herod instructed the wise men
to determine when Jesus was born using stars.In Kalenjin there are too
wise men with special instinct abilities who can read stars i.e
Koromerik and kipsomoguk to tell various events, reading of intestines
to determine the situations among others
The Kalenjin were
monotheist; worshippers of one Supreme Being. This made it easier for
them to accept the Christian message. The Supreme Being was called Asis
which has many attributes;
Cheptalel ( the controller of all things),or Cheptalil i.e one which glitters meaning purity
Chebonomi (giver of life),
Chepokipkoyo (God the protector);
Chepomirchiio (God who over sees armed forces);
Chepkeelyen sogol ( the Omnipresence God),
Chemalus (God knows all ),
Chepokimabai (God the controller of all harvest) ,
Weriit neo (God is important of alland has feelings),
Cheboo (God is great);
Chepwooboit (God the great worker);
Chepkochor (God is everlasting),
Tororot (God is the most high) just like in Bible, Adonai, Jiren,
Nissi, Shalom, Shammah, Tsidkenu, Elshadai, Elohe among others are the
attributes of Jehovah.
A study by Dr. Kipkoech Arap Sambu in his
book Egyptology has found that kalenjin share words with natives of
Egypt (Kemet), native Egyptians refer to God as ptah, where as Kalenjin
called Him Kiptayat and sun both called Asista. Most Kalenjins myths
claims that they originated from Tot or Burgei (warm place) from the
North which is probably Egypt (Kemet).This is why when kalenjin are
blessing they always utter words Burgei kole burgei signifying their
originality.
According to legends, the Kalenjin came from Tot
probably Dwo in Egypt (kemet). The ancestors of Kalenjin were Tapnai and
kingo who had the following Sons; Cherang Muukwo, Kipsirikwo, Kipongom
and others from several wives. When Kingo was about to die as a result
of old age his eldest son Olchiangwal inherit his younger wives and the
named to non kiindi (one who inherits) and later name was shorted to
Nandi. His other son move to different fertile territory and became
prolific and this Kipsigis ki-po-sigis i.e ‘one who gave birth to many. ‘
Another version was that, while the sons was tending cows, one found
the vessel called kiisiet (traditional bowl of ugali) he was then
reffered by other as Kipsich kisiet i.e ‘one who found kiiset’ and later
name of his generation became Kipsigisiek. One of the Sons when to a
safari but disappeared, he was waited in vain but they kept on faith and
said to kigeni (two are still having hope of waiting) and his
generation because of event became The Tugen. Other Son went far field
milking kingos called when others asked about the cattle his response
was kei-yoo i.e ‘the mother is milking’ hence his generation became The
Keiyo.
Other Son is believed to have demanded for kwesta (Ram) and
was called mach kwesta and later his generation became The Marakwet. The
other Son was banished for misconduct and he disappeared from home, he
was later tought to be dead but the mother kept on saying sobei (still
alive) and thus his generation became The Sebei of Uganda. The other
Sons remained at kingo’s homestead these were Koony and Pokot. Pokot
means Pokoot i.e ‘the owner of the house’ and Koony means ‘ our home’
this gives rise to Pokot generation.
There are ancient songs and
myths which shows that Kalenjin and Jews might have encounter each
other. For example okwasien wee beechu asi agonok sonoiyat ne leel ak ne
tui. Meaning ‘please water, may you be clear so that I can give you
white and black beads’, which is almost related to rituals done by Moses
during crossing of Red sea by Israelites. Song Ndama riretab musaya
could be the attribute of role of Mosses to children of Israel when they
were crossing sea.
The traditional huts resembles Egyptian
pyramids, totems of clans are used by both Egyptians and Jews showing
that they have common phylogeny or ancestry.
Israel is derived from
two deities Isis(Asis) and Ra and El – the semitic deity. The kalenjin
say that in their migratory journey in a wild far country, they were
pursued by an enemy. One elder upon a lake they could not cross intoned
four times – Beekab kamama yas ole yas (waters of maternal uncles part
say part), the water parted and on reaching the other side of the river
the same elder intoned again four times – Beekab kamama king ole king
(waters of maternal uncles meet say meet) and the water met killing the
enemy instantly. However the kalenjin still remember the elder who
intoned as musaika as they sing a song called ndomo rireetab musaika as
sing a song called ndomo rireetab musaika kotomokimi emoni – a song sung
after women have been circumcised.
The entire kalenjin sometimes
called themselves Bikab kutit (people of mouth). This is because when
missionaries came earlier they noticed that most members of this tribe
had good white teeth (Good teeth – kutit).
Thus kalenjin then called
themselves bikab kutit (people with good teeth as they are found of
taking milk which have calcium for proper teeth formation. Mouth (space
between the jaws) is actually called Ngesemta or moromet.
The
Kalenjin entirely were ruled and governed by council of elders, where
the Orkoiyot was the chief medicine man, religious leader and guide the
community when to undertake anything whether planting or raiding other
communities. The Orkoiyot was both the person and the highest office on
land. The Oorkoik (workoiik) were royal people who lead kalenjin in
olden times.Oorkoi means ‘this house of big or intelligent people.’ The
Hellenic Greeks called them Arkhont. Oo (big), Koi (house or stone)
Hence workoii (Oorkoi) means these people are from the house of leaders
(rocks). Amazingly woorkoik were given “Rock” names like Jewish
prophets, Koitalel (white rock), koilegen (spotted rock) kobogoi,
koitabai (rock of grinding millet). And in the Bible we have Peter the
Rock (Cephas) and Rock of Ages, what a great connection!
The
Bedouins of Israel have an uncanny ability they are known as the best
desert trackers in the world. They are able to find traces of people or
animals in the sand; tell whether the animal was running or whether a
man or woman and was carrying equipment.
This very special skill has
made Bedouins very valuable to the Isreal army, especially for guarding
the borders. They are among those few Israel Arabs who can volunteer to
serve in army and are always called upon to track down enemy troops who
have broken through Israel’s border defenses.The Bedouins like some
Kalenjins pride themselves on their capacity for hospitality and concern
for people. However, their code of conduct does not see habit of
raiding other tribes livestock as something that is wrong. The kalenjin
participated greatly in British army during Second World War and there
are a lot of claims that it was their envolment which leads to the end
of the war.
The reasons for Kalenjin migration from Egypt were;
search of greener pastures, drought, hostile neighbouring communities,
disease outbreaks, enslavement and to fulfill myths of their fore
fathers.And in particular attacked by powerful invaders called
kipyayamungen who were white.
The kalenjin during pre-colonial
period had a well organized social, economic and political organization
with well structured central government. The religious system were well
organized and the religious practices were strictly adhered to which in
turn leads to a well rounded person in all aspects that is mind, body
and spirit.
Kalenjin since time immemorial from Egypt has
demonstrated leadership position several Egyptian pharaohs were actually
Kalenjin.Too in build instict of military organization of Kalenjin was
used by pharaoh in expansion of its territory.
In modern Africa
Kalenjin has produced several political leaders namely;Daniel Toroitich
Kapkorios Arap Moi who ruled Kenya for 24 years as president Jomo
Kenyatta kenyas first president and His son Uhuru Kenyatta Kenyas fourth
President are claimed to have Kalenjin blood,Proffesor Yusuf Lule of
Sebei of Uganda ruled Uganda for one month as president ,current
Republic of Kenya Deputy president William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto
among other reknown persons in proffesinal fields.kongoi konyon gotab
kandoik gotab lole mat.
Kenya is known internationally especially
because of its unique athletes who have dominated the track for couple
of decades because of their outstanding track records where the Kalenjin
names features prominently.Those who excell from other tribes are
mainly immediate neighbours of Kalenjin and thus rumours goes that it
may have been born as a result of generosity of Kalenjin sharing their
genes with neighbours.The Ethiopians Oromos too are claimed to be
splinter group of Kalenjin while they were dispersing from Egypt that is
why they are very good athletes.Oromo comes from Kalenjin term bik che
koromen i.e. people who are fierce.
The children songs and riddles
used to prophesy the future events which actually came to pass for
example, the song Chepkongo teme ano tinget ,ame ano tuga sung in 1940s
predict the current event of land scarcity as a result of population
explosion Teretab kogo chemagirgir tondet,kigome anan tomi, kigome was
sung by children in earlier 1930s when the traditional pot was used for
cooking which takes a lot of time to cook food,the children predicted
the use of modern sufurias which take very much shorter time because of
their good conductivity since they are made of alluminium..The riddle
Telelen kiptiltilyet iitit asi kogur chemunai nemi oi i.e .simoit was
used by children in 1950s and currently actually every one owns a
phnone.The past kalenjin prophets notably Kimondit Arap Mugeni boiyot
kiptormesendet of Chemagel Sotik prophesies a lot which actually came to
be very true just like the Biblical prophets
