Kipsigis Heritage

This book is a brief account of the history and traditional institutions of the Kipsigis people and the community's clan system. The Kipsigis are a sub-group of the Kalenjin people of Eastern Africa that comprise (besides the Kipsigis) the Nandi, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Cheranga'ny (also known as Sengwer), Pokot, Okiek, Terik and the Sabaot (further sub-divided into the Kony, Sabin), Bok and the Bongomek. In Uganda, the Sebei, Mbai and Sor live in the Kapchorwa (literally,'home of friends') Bukwa and Kween districts on the western slopes of Mt Elgon. The Mbulu district of northern Tanzania is home to the Barabaig, while the more linguistically distant Majang' and the Inganassa are domiciled in parts of Ethiopia and South Sudan, respectively. Ina fast-changing society of the 21st century, many of Africa's old traditional cultures and practices have been abandoned or forgotten altogether. Therefore, it is safe to say, not many people know much about these cultures and practices, let alone claim to have practiced them. It is thus exciting that in this book the reader comes face-to-face with these traditional cultures and practices in a highly readable form as presented. Another important aspect of this book is the seventy-seven clans listed herein where an attempt has been made to trace the origin of each one of them, while at the same time capturing anecdotes, tales, legends, romances. Myths and chants associated with each clan. Today, as was the case in the past, the Kipsigis clan system plays an important role In the community's kinship identity and in the regulation of a number of social Institutions, including the all-important Institution of marriage. The book also contains mini-biographies of individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of the Kipsigis society (now and in the past) and a list of elected and nominated Members of the Legislative Council, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies and Governors from the 1950s to date.