where do the kalenjin live

Who are the Kalenjin people of Tanzania?

One group moved on south to become the Datooga in Tanzania. Identity: The Kalenjin are called Highland Nilotes because they live in the Highlands of the Rift Valley and are related to the people in the Nile area of Sudan and Uganda. The Kalenjin are sometimes considered as a tribe made up of many clans.

Why are the Kalenjin called Highland Nilotes?

The Kalenjin are called Highland Nilotes because they live in the Highlands of the Rift Valley and are related to the people in the Nile area of Sudan and Uganda. The Kalenjin are sometimes considered as a tribe made up of many clans.

What is the social structure of a Kalenjin village?

The social structure of a Kalenjin village is based on the “age-set”, like other tribes such as the Masai. Rites of passage, such as initiation and circumcision, take place every seven years. Young people tend to bond with others in their age-set, though the concept is not as important for Kalenjin who live in the cities.

Where did the Kalenjin go on their journey?

They go distances from the Singing Wells trip to record the music of the Kalenjin tribes. The journey takes them to Kitale, Mount Elgon, Kapenguria, Iten, Kapsowar and Lake Baringo where they record the music of traditional groups from different sub-tribes including Pokot, Marakwet, Tugen and Sabaot.

Where do the Kalenjins come from?

Kalenjin, any member of the Kipsikis (Kipsigis), Nandi, Pokot, or other related peoples of west-central Kenya, northern Tanzania, and Uganda who speak Southern Nilotic languages of the Nilo-Saharan language family. The Kalenjin peoples probably expanded into the Rift Valley about ad 1500.

Where did Kalenjin migrate from?

The Kalenjin cluster of peoples of today are descendants of migrants from the Nile River area of the Sudan or the western Ethiopian highlands. One of their myths says they came originally from Misri, a name for Egypt. This name is common in origin traditions of many peoples, including some Bantu peoples in East Africa.

Are Kalenjins in Ethiopia?

The ancestors of the Kalenjins were emigrants from Ethiopia (Cushites) and the Sudan (Nilotes), who left their native places between 2000 and 1000 BC, respectively, as well as hunter-gatherers already living in present-day Kenya.

What are Kalenjin known for?

The Kalenjin have been called by some "the running tribe." Since the mid-1960s, Kenyan men have earned the largest share of major honours in international athletics at distances from 800 meters to the marathon; the vast majority of these Kenyan running stars have been Kalenjin.

Are Kalenjins in Uganda?

The Kalenjin are a group of Southern Nilotic tribes descending from Maliri people (thus related to Daasanach of Ethiopia.) They are indigenous to North and East Africa, residing mainly in what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya and Western slopes of Mount Elgon in Uganda.

Are there Kalenjins in Egypt?

The Kalenjins comes from Egypt. Even the Bible confirms the presence of the Sebei (Kalenjin) long time ago even before Abraham was born.

Where did Nandi migrated from?

Migration and settlement According to the Kalenjin myth of origin, the Nandi were initially part of the Kipsigis while living at Rongai near Nakuru. They migrated due to drought and Maasai invasion to the area.

How do you say I miss you in Kalenjin?

In Kalenjin you don't say "I miss you" You say ' e pepis inyun" which means " you're my marathon training kit." Isn't that amazing?

How do you say my love in Kalenjin?

To say I love you in Kalenjin language you can say “ochomin / achamin“. You can say lover as chamanet and to say my lover you can say chamanenyun. Similarly, to say husband “moning'otiot” and my husband meaning “moning'otiot ndenyun”.

How many Kalenjins are in Kenya?

6,358,113 individualsThe Kalenjin comprise a number of ethnic groups indigenous to East Africa, residing mainly in what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. They number 6,358,113 individuals as per the Kenyan 2019 census.

Which is the largest tribe in Kenya?

The Bantu group is the largest ethnic community in Kenya. It compromises of the Kikuyu, Akamba, Luhya, Kisii, Meru, and Mijikenda tribes.

How many Kikuyus are in Kenya?

8,148,668The Kikuyu (also Agĩkũyũ/Gĩkũyũ) are a Bantu ethnic group native to Central Kenya. At a population of 8,148,668 as of 2019, they account for 17.13% of the total population of Kenya, making them the largest ethnic group in Kenya.

Where did Nandi migrated from?

Migration and settlement According to the Kalenjin myth of origin, the Nandi were initially part of the Kipsigis while living at Rongai near Nakuru. They migrated due to drought and Maasai invasion to the area.

Is Kalenjin a Bantu?

Culture of the Kalenjin People As with some Bantu groups, the Kalenjin and other Nilotes in the Great Lakes region have through interaction adopted many customs and practices from neighboring Southern Cushitic groups. There are several smaller tribal groupings within the Kalenjin.

Where did Kikuyu originate from?

Ancestors of the Kikuyu arrived in Kenya and settled on the slopes of Mount Kenya where they found the Gumba, whom they assimilated. The Gumba were hunters who made iron and pottery, and used honey and honey products.

How do you say I miss you in Kalenjin?

In Kalenjin you don't say "I miss you" You say ' e pepis inyun" which means " you're my marathon training kit." Isn't that amazing?

Where do the Kalenjin live?

The Kalenjin live primarily in Kenya, East Africa. A living illustration of the complex nature of ethnic identity in Sub-Saharan Africa, they are not a tribe. Rather, the Kalenjin are an ethnic grouping of eight culturally and linguistically related groups or “tribes”: the Kipsigis, Nandi, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot (sometimes called the Suk), Sabaot (who live in the Mount Elgon region, overlapping the Kenya/Uganda border), and the Terik.

What is the Kalenjin family?

Traditionally, like in most African societies, the family was central in the daily life of the Kalenjin. But by family what was meant was the extended family , not the nuclear family in the Western sense. Kalenjin residence patterns were, and still are, mostly patrilocal. That is, typically after marriage a man brings his wife to live with him in, or very near to, his father's homestead. Marriage of one man to multiple wives (polygyny) was and is permitted, although most men cannot afford the expense of such unions because of the burden of bride-price. Regardless of the type of marriage, children were traditionally seen as a blessing from God and, as a result of this, until very recently Kenya had the highest population growth rate in the world.

What is the food of the Kalenjin people?

The staple Kalenjin food is ugali (“oo-golly”). This is a cake-like, starchy food that is made from white cornmeal mixed with boiling water and stirred vigorously while cooking. It is eaten with the hands and is often served with cooked green vegetables such as kale, called sukuma wiki (“sue-cooma weeky”) in KiSwahili, meaning literally, “to push the week.” Less frequently it is served with roasted goat meat, beef, or chicken. Before the introduction and widespread diffusion of corn in recent times, millet and sorghum—indigenous African grains—were staple cereals. All of these grains were, and still are, used to make a very thick beer that has a relatively low alcohol content. Another popular Keiyo beverage is mursik (“more-seek”). This consists of fermented whole milk that has been stored in a special gourd called a sotet (pronounced just as it appears, with the accent on the second syllable) that has been cleaned using a burning stick. The result is that the milk is infused with tiny bits of charcoal.

What language do Kalenjin people speak?

Although these dialects are all supposedly mutually intelligible, speakers of one dialect often have difficulty understanding speakers of another. In addition to Kalenjin, most people speak Swahili and English, since both are official national languages and are taught in school, beginning with primary school education. Today it is only very old persons who do not speak at least some English.

What are the four main genres of Kalenjin folklore?

Kalenjin oral tradition has four main genres: narratives (stories), songs, proverbs, and riddles. Stories usually contain both people and animals, and certain animals have acquired attributes that are concrete representations of character traits, e.g., hare is a trick-ster figure whose cleverness can be self-defeating; lion is courageous and wise; and hyena is greedy and destructive. Songs accompany both work and play, as well as ceremonial occasions such as births, initiations, and weddings. Proverbs convey important messages in very concise ways and are often used when elders settle disputes or advise younger persons. Riddles involve word play and are especially popular with children.

What is the greeting of Kalenjin?

Chamge (“chaam-gay”) or chamuge (“chaa-moo-gay”) is the standard greeting among Kalenjin. If the encounter is face-to-face, the spoken greeting is almost always accompanied by a hearty handshake, and people often clasp their own right elbow with their left hand. The response is the same— chamge, sometimes repeated several times. It may be emphasized with mising (“me-sing”), which can mean either “very much” or “close friend,” depending upon the context. As a sign of respect, a younger person will greet someone of their grandparents' generation by saying, chamge kogo (grandmother—“chaam-gay coe-go”) or chamge kugo (grandfather—“chaam-gay coo-go”).

What are the Kalenjin's main tasks?

Men are expected to do the heavy work of initially clearing the fields that are to be used for planting, as well as turning over the soil . Women take over the bulk of the farming work from there on, including planting, several weedings, harvesting (although here men tend to pitch in), and processing crops. Among the Kalenjin, tradition holds that men are supposedly more concerned with herding livestock than with other pursuits. Recent evidence suggests that women, children (especially boys), and even older people are equally as likely to be engaged in animal care as men, especially in those situations where men are likely to be away from home engaged in wage work.

What is the Kalenjin tribe?

The population of the Kalenjin Tribe is about 3 million being the fourth largest ethnic group in Kenya. This tribe is traditionally pastoral and is made up of about 10 sub-groups. The largest sub-group is the Nandi. The Kalenjin live primarily in Kenya. They are an ethnic grouping of eight culturally and linguistically related groups or “tribes”: the Kipsigis, Nandi, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot (sometimes called the Suk), Sabaot (who live in the Mount Elgon region, overlapping the Kenya/Uganda border), and the Terik. Their present-day homeland is Kenya’s western highlands and the Rift Valley.

Where did the Kalenjin tribe come from?

Because they originally were many different tribes, there is no one single history for the Kalenjin people. Overall, they are thought to have come to Kenya from Sudan and their territory is in the Great Rift Valley. Kalenjin Tribe Men Photo.

What are some names for Kalenjin?

Below is a selection of Kalenjin names and their meanings. Female equivalents have been placed in brackets eg. Kibichii (Chebichii), where Kibichii is male while Chebichii is female#N#Boisio#N#Bosek#N#Chemesunde – Born in deep darkness due to absence of the moon. No male equivalent.#N#Chemiron -This is a male name among the Nandi and Kipsigis. The name has no female equivalent.#N#Chepkeitany (mainly a Keiyo name with no female equivalent) – born during the milking of the cattle.#N#Chepkwony – this name is an oddity as it belongs to men among the Nandi and Kipsigis#N#Cheruyot – has to do with spending the night in the same hut with the mother. Nohttps://kenyacradle.com/kalenjin-tribe/ male equivalent.#N#Chumo – This is an age set name which is also represented among the Kikuyu by the ‘Cuma’ ruling generaion.#N#Elgeyo (Keiyu)#N#Kenduiyo#N#Kibichii (Chebichii) – One of the parents or other relative was very harsh.#N#Kibiwot (Chebiwot) – Dry weather or farmine.#N#Kibor (Chebor) – (born after the older sibling had died. To ensure that the child survies, it is taken to the road (or) to picked by someone and given back to the mother).#N#Kibuigut (Chebuigut)- Stammerer.#N#Kimaiyo (Chamaiyo) – born when there was a lot of beer.

What language do the Kalenjin speak?

The Kalenjin speak Kalenjin languages as mother tongues. They belong to the Nilo-Saharan family. Kalenjin also encompasses languages spoken in Tanzania (e.g., Akie) and Uganda (e.g., Kupsabiny). Due to this even broader use of the term ‘Kalenjin’, it was common practice in linguistic literature to refer to the languages of the Kenyan Kalenjin peoples as the Nandi languages.

What is the Kalenjin religion?

Kalenjin Religion and Expressive Culture. Traditional Kalenjin beliefs are monotheistic, with a belief in a single Deity called Asis (symbolized by the sun). The spirits of dead ancestors were also an important part of Kalenjin religion, as was the practice of sacrifice to the spirits.

What is the name of the cow that is born during the milking of cattle?

Chepkeitany (mainly a Keiyo name with no female equivalent) – born during the milking of the cattle. Chepkwony – this name is an oddity as it belongs to men among the Nandi and Kipsigis. Cheruyot – has to do with spending the night in the same hut with the mother. Nohttps://kenyacradle.com/kalenjin-tribe/ male equivalent.

Where do Sebei and Sabaot live?

Sebei and Sabaot now live around Mt. Elgon in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda. It is possible that Herodotus misspelled the word, Sebenitus, which should have been either Sebei or Sabaot.

Where are the Kalenjin people?

The Kalenjin people can be found in the Rift Valley escarpment of Kenya. There are related people in north central Tanzania. The Sabaot extend across the Uganda border, where they are called Sebei. One of the three subgroups of the Sabaot, the Kony (Elgon) gave their name to Mt. Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border.

Where are the Kalenjin from?

The Kalenjin are a group of Southern Nilotic peoples indigenous to East Africa, residing mainly in what was formerly the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. They number 6,358,113 individuals as per the Kenyan 2019 census. They are divided into nine culturally and linguistically related clans: Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik and Ogiek. They speak Kalenjin languages, which belong to the Nilotic language family.

What do Kalenjin women wear?

Women wear skirts and blouses, dresses, and/or khangas —locally made commercial textiles that are used as wraps (one for the top and one for the bottom).#N#Young people of both sexes like T-shirts with logos, especially those of American sports teams or ones bearing the likeness of famous entertainers such as Michael Jackson or Madonna.

What are Kalenjin houses made of?

Traditionally, Kalenjin houses were round. Walls were constructed of bent saplings anchored to larger posts and covered with a mixture of mud and cow dung; roofs were thatched with local grasses.#N#While these kinds of houses are still common, there is a growing trend toward the construction of square or rectangular houses built with timber walls and roofs of corrugated sheet metal.#N#Most Kalenjin are rural dwellers who do not have electricity or indoor plumbing. Radio/cassette players; kerosene lamps and stoves; charcoal stoves; aluminum cooking pots; plastic dishes, plates, and cups; and bicycles are the most common consumer items. Those few people who do not have electricity but who do have televisions use car batteries for power.

What is the greeting of Kalenjin?

Chamge or chamuge is the standard greeting among the Kalenjin. If people meet face-to-face, the spoken greeting is almost always accompanied by a hearty handshake, and people often clasp their own right elbow with their left hand.#N#The response is the same— chamge , sometimes repeated several times. It may be emphasized with mising, which can mean either "very much" or "close friend," depending upon the context.#N#As a sign of respect, a younger person greets someone of their grandparents' generation by saying, chamge kogo (grandmother) or chamge kugo (grandfather).#N#Holding hands after greeting is very common for people of the same sex. Even when walking, these people may hold hands or lock little fingers. There is no sexual connotation to this behavior.#N#People of opposite sexes are strongly discouraged from these and other public displays of affection. In their conversations Kalenjin do not point out objects or people with their fingers. Instead, they point by turning their head in the proper direction and puckering their lips briefly.#N#Taking leave of someone is accompanied by the farewell, sait sere (meaning literally, "blessing time"), and hearty handshakes.#N#Often people walk with their visitor (s) a distance in order to continue the conversation and to give their friend (s) "a push." Once again, these people often hold hands.#N#In the past, dating and courtship were almost entirely matters of family concern. Today, young men and women have more freedom to exercise their own choice, especially those living at boarding schools.#N#Young people meet and socialize at dances in town discos and in cafes called hoteli in KiSwahili.#N#Still, when a young man decides on a wife, he and his father's family must gather together a suitable bride price payment to be given to the bride's family.#N#In the past, this consisted almost entirely of livestock, but today it is becoming more common to use money in place of or in addition to livestock.

What is the initiation process of Kalenjin?

The initiation process is a key component of Kalenjin identity. Among males, the circumcision (yatitaet) and initiation (tumdo) process is seen as signifying one's transition from boyhood to manhood and is taken very seriously. On the whole, the process still occurs during a boys pre-teen/early teenage years though significant differences are emerging in practice. Much esotericism is still attended to in the traditional practice of initiation and there was great uproar amongst Kalenjin elders in 2013 when aspects of the tradition were openly inquired into at the International Court. Conversely a number of contemporary Kalenjin have the circumcision process carried out in hospital as a standard surgical procedure and various models of the learning process have emerged to complement the modern practice. For orthodox, urban and Christian traditions the use of ibinwek is in decline and the date has been moved from the traditional September/October festive season to December to coincide with the Kenyan school calendar.

What are the four oral traditions of the Kalenjin?

Prior to the introduction of writing, folktales served to convey a sense of cultural history. The Kalenjin have four oral traditions: stories, songs, proverbs, and riddles. #N#Stories are usually about both people and animals, and certain animals are thought to have particular character traits. For example, the hare is a trickster figure whose cleverness can get him in trouble, the lion is courageous and wise, and the hyena is greedy and destructive.#N#Songs accompany both work and play, as well as ceremonial occasions such as births, initiations, and weddings.#N#Proverbs convey important messages and are often used when elders settle disputes or advise youths. Riddles involve word play and are especially popular with children.

Where are the Kalenjin people from?

The Kalenjin people are an ethnolinguistic group mistaken to be a tribe in Kenya, though they are actually a collection of tribes indigenous to East Africa , with a presence, as dated by archaeology and linguistics, that goes back many centuries. Their history is therefore deeply interwoven with those of their neighboring communities and, most notably, with the Iraqw, who are known to them as Sirikwa (some factions, or even perhaps whole tribes, such as the Marakwet or the Sengwer, are thought to be adopted Iraqw), as well as with the histories of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Ethiopia .

What is the Kalenjin tribe called?

The Kalenjin have been called by some "the running tribe.". Since the mid-1960s, Kenyan men have earned the largest share of major honours in international athletics at distances from 800 meters to the marathon; the vast majority of these Kenyan running stars have been Kalenjin.

What is the name of the mountain in Kalenjin?

Here Kalenjin place names seem to have been superseded in the main by Maasai names notably Mount Suswa (Kalenjin - place of grass) which was in the process of acquiring its Maasai name, Ol-doinyo Nanyokie, the red mountain during the period of European exploration.

What was the Kalenjin known for?

Thompson was warned in 1883 to avoid the country of the Nandi, who were known for attacks on strangers and caravans that would attempt to scale the great massif of the Mau.

Where did the Kalenjin tribes settle?

This corresponds with a number of historical narratives from the various Kalenjin sub-tribes, which point to Tulwetab/Tuluop Kony ( Mount Elgon) as their original point of settlement in Kenya. There are also accounts from Kalenjin speaking communities, in particular, the Sebeii, living near Mt.

Which region of Kenya was the Sirikwa culture?

Elgon region and possibly into Uganda. For several centuries, the bearers of the Sirikwa culture would be the dominant population of the western highlands of Kenya.

Where are the Kalenjin people?

The Kalenjin people can be found in the Rift Valley escarpment of Kenya. There are related people in north central Tanzania. The Sabaot extend across the Uganda border, where they are called Sebei. One of the three subgroups of the Sabaot, the Kony (Elgon) gave their name to Mt. Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border.

What do Kalenjins grow?

They grow millet, maize and now tea and sorghum. Traditionally Kalenjins built round homes of sticks and mud plaster, with pointed thatch roofs with a pole out the center. Nowadays homes are commonly wood and stone with modern facilities, though traditional homes are still common also.

What language do Kalenjin people speak?

Language: The Kalenjin people speak several languages that are not mutually intelligible but are linguistically closely related. Nandi and Kipsigis are the two major dialects of what is called the Kalenjin language. The Talai and Endo speak separate languages, as do the Pokoot, Sabaot and Tugen.

What clans are in the Endo clan?

The different clans are the Nandi Terik, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot, Sabaot and the Kipsigis. Marakwet is actually a blanket term for the Endo groups and the Talai. The Okiek (also called Ndorobo), though originally of Cushitic stock, now speak Kipsigis, and are sometimes classed with Kalenjin speakers.

What is the difference between Kalenjin and Maasai?

"Subaa" (Good morning) is a word common to Kalenjin and Maasai. The Kalenjin are people of the Highland Nilote branch, while the Maasai and Samburu are Plains Nilotes.

Why are the Kalenjin called Nilotes?

The Kalenjin are called Highland Nilotes because they live in the Highlands of the Rift Valley and are related to the people in the Nile area of Sudan and Uganda. The Kalenjin are sometimes considered as a tribe made up of many clans.

Why did the Kalenjin groups come together?

Political Situation: The Kalenjin groups actually drew together in response to British colonial domination. The British related to each group individually. The Nandi were virtually the last ethnic group to be dominated militarily by the British.

Where do the Kardashians live now?

Since we’re visual learners, we decided to make a map to help better illustrate exactly how close the Kardashians are to one another.

But Where Do Rob Kardashian and Kendall Jenner Live?

Rob also used to live in Calabasas but now is house-hunting for properties in Encino, which is far but not quite as far as Mulholland Estates where Kendall resides. Speaking of Kendall, she used to live in a West Hollywood mansion, but she sold it in 2016 after the home was broken into with more than $200,000 worth of jewelry stolen.

Introduction

• The Kalenjin live primarily in Kenya, East Africa. A living illustration of the complex nature of ethnic identity in Sub-Saharan Africa, they are not a tribe. Rather, the Kalenjin are an ethnic grouping of eight culturally and linguistically related groups or “tribes”: the Kipsigis, Nandi, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot (sometimes called the Suk), S...

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Location and Homeland

Language

Folklore

Religion

Major Holidays

Rites of Passage

Interpersonal Relations

Living Conditions

Family Life